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Target Corp.

Chains step up as Hurricane Irma takes toll on business

NEW YORK — Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the United States, sent retail spending in the Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach area of Florida spiraling downward, with sales plunging more than 72% over a three-day period, according to payment technology company First Data Corp. The company, which

Most of all, today’s beauty shoppers want value

Most of all, today’s beauty shoppers want value

NEW YORK — The secret weapon in the battle for the $62 billion that U.S. customers spend on beauty care and cosmetics just might be something mass retailers had all along — steep values. While drug, discount and supermarket chains have burnished their image in beauty with illumination, upgraded products and elevated service, it turns

Recovery from Hurricane Harvey begins

Recovery from Hurricane Harvey begins

ARLINGTON, Va. — Though Hurricane Harvey has dissipated, it has left many in the Greater Houston area as well as parts of southwestern Louisiana reeling in its aftermath. From initial estimates it appears Harvey’s economic impact will be every bit as staggering as its winds were. Financial analysis firm Moody’s Analytics tallies the costs of

Retailers lend hand in Hurricane Irma relief

Retailers lend hand in Hurricane Irma relief

NEW YORK — Retailers stepped forward to help with relief efforts for Hurricane Irma even as they continued their own recovery efforts to get stores and other facilities back into operation. Across Florida, where Irma made landfall in the continental United States last Saturday, drug chains, supermarkets and mass merchandisers shuttered stores as winds topping

Target’s Cornell: Border tax would hike prices

WASHINGTON — Target Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Brian Cornell spoke for much of the retail industry when he testified before the House Ways and Means Committee last month that the proposed Border Adjustment Tax would raise prices for American consumers. Under the border tax, “American families — your constituents — would pay more

Walmart, Target give cause for optimism

Walmart, Target give cause for optimism

In late May, both Walmart and Target Corp. issued their quarterly performance numbers. Each revealed some surprises, and both left those retailing authorities who still retain some faith in the business a bit more optimistic than they had been. Here’s a look at the numbers: First, Walmart. Most surprising here was the revelation that the

Mass retailers reap benefits of beauty makeover

Mass retailers reap benefits of beauty makeover

NEW YORK — Efforts that mass market retailers started last year to brush up their beauty departments and court new shoppers are starting to register. Mass market beauty care sales rose only 2% in 2016, according to NPD Group Inc. (lower than prestige at 6%), but several categories recorded impressive results. Skin care, for example,

Retail CEOs talk with Trump

Retail CEOs talk with Trump

WASHINGTON — A group of retail executives, including Walgreens Boots Alliance executive chairman and chief executive officer Stefano Pessina, met with President Donald Trump earlier this month to discuss issues related to imports and changes to the tax code. The meeting was a scheduled event with the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA). “The retail industry

President Donald Trump meets with retail CEOs

President Donald Trump meets with retail CEOs

WASHINGTON — Promoting his economic platform with business leaders, President Donald Trump today met with top retail executives at the White House. Focusing on Trump’s plank of job creation, simplification of the tax code and reduced regulatory red tape, the Wednesday morning meeting was a scheduled event with the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA). The

CVS Health closes fiscal year on high note

CVS Health closes fiscal year on high note

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health topped Wall Street’s earnings-per-share forecast and, driven largely by its PBM unit, saw double-digit sales gains for the 2016 fourth quarter and full year. CVS said Thursday that for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, revenue totaled $45.97 billion, up 11.7% from $41.15 billion a year earlier. For the 2016

Target appoints chief marketing officer

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. has named Rick Gomez to the position of executive vice president and chief marketing officer. Gomez succeeds Jeff Jones, who left the company in September to join Uber Technologies Inc. In his new role, Gomez will be responsible for furthering Target’s brand positioning and leading the integration of all the retailer’s

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