Content about Target

Target is branching out.


Buoyed by surging profits and customer satisfaction scores, the Minneapolis-based giant is reaching into Canada, preparing a new small-store format for urban areas and going after a bigger share of the nation’s grocery dollar. Target also is spending billions on store renovations, aggressively leveraging a new loyalty card program and growing its commitment to health at its pharmacies and in-store clinics.


MINNEAPOLIS — Target said that its in-store recycling stations collected and recycled more than 170 million shopping bags, weighing more than 1,800 tons, between April and December 2010.

The retailer also said that its in-store recycling stations, which were launched to make it easier for guests to recycle common household items, also collected and recycled more than 700 tons of bottles and cans, as well as nearly 2 million units of such small electronics as MP3 players and cell phones during the nine-month period.

NEW YORK — Target once again has taken the top spot as the retailer with the strongest consumer brand equity, according to the latest Harris poll.

This marked the second consecutive year Target has led the way in the "value retail" category, with an increasing gap noted between the company and runner-up Walmart, according to the "2011 Harris Poll EquiTrend" study. Target led the way with a ranking of 74.1, while Walmart had a ranking of 70.8. The industry average in the value retail category was 67.3.

NEW YORK — Retailers rank among the highest for their customer service, according to a new report by the Temkin Group.

The consulting and research firm analyzed responses from 6,000 consumers, found that Amazon.com ranked No. 1 for providing an "excellent" customer experience, coming in with a ranking of 81.3%. A business qualifies for an "excellent" rating when their score is 80% or higher, Temkin said.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target announced that as part of its Earth Month celebration, it is offering customers the chance to win a "Refresh Your Nest" home makeover worth up to $50,000 with the help of LEED-accredited designer Sabrina Soto, as well as hundreds of other sustainable prizes.

Guests can log on to Target.com/Eco to enter the sweepstakes.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target's deal with Lady Gaga may have fallen through, but that doesn't mean the retailer has lost its ability to court the music industry.

Case in point, the company announced Monday that it is partnering with Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer and actress Jennifer Hudson for the exclusive, deluxe edition of her second studio album, "I Remember Me." The deluxe edition, including four additional new songs and bonus video material, will be available only at Target stores nationwide and on Target.com beginning March 22.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has made the Ethisphere Institute’s World’s Most Ethical Companies for 2011 list, the retail chain said Thursday.

Target said the institute, an international business ethics organization, honored Target for business practices and initiatives that benefit the community. This is the fifth consecutive year in which the company has won the award.

MINNEAPOLIS — Pop singer Lady Gaga has dissolved her partnership with mass merchandiser Target, according to published reports.

Last month, Lady Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, teamed up with Target to promote her latest album, “Born This Way,” selling an exclusive special edition of it through the retailer.

MINNEAPOLIS — February same-store sales at Target advanced 1.8%, thanks to the addition of fresh food and consumables that are part of an aggressive remodeling program causing more people to shop its stores.

The company said more than half of its February same-store sales gain were driven by an increase in transactions combined with a small increase in the average transaction size. The 1.8% gain comes on top of a 2.4% increase in February 2010.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble is letting Target customers know that great things come in small packages as it launches new Tide and Gain compacted powder laundry detergents.

The compacted Tide and Gain detergents, which offer the same number of loads in a smaller box, could save up to 22 million lbs. of total packaging in the United States and Canada each year, P&G said. The company said that in addition to the Tide and Gain launch at Target, P&G also will introduce compacted formulas for Cheer, Dreft and Ivory Snow.

MINNEAPOLIS — Mass merchandiser Target has changed its political donation policies following a controversy that erupted last year over a donation to a socially conservative political group, according to published reports.

The Washington Blade, a gay and lesbian newspaper, reported Thursday that Target had formed a policy committee comprising senior executives that would direct political giving.

MINNEAPOLIS — Pop singer Lady Gaga has partnered with mass merchandise retailer Target to allow customers to pre-order a deluxe edition of her new album, “Born This Way.” Customers can order the album through Target and download the title track for free at Target.com/Gaga until Feb. 26.