Corporate Governance

A 4.2% increase in August same-store sales at Target was at the high end of the company’s forecast range.

The solid showing during August was noteworthy because it came on top of a prior year increase of 4.1% and was attributable primarily to an increase in average transaction size. According to Target, about three fourths of the increase was due to growth in ticket with increase shopper traffic accounting for the remainder of the comp increase.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Pier 1 Imports continued its comps momentum, reporting a 6.7% increase for its second quarter on top of last year's 10.8% gain. The company's three-year cumulative comparable-store sales increased 28.7%.

BRUSSELS — Delhaize's U.S. division has a new leader.

The supermarket conglomerate announced that Roland Smith will serve as Delhaize America's president and CEO, as well as EVP of the Delhaize Group, effective Oct. 15. Smith is replacing Ronald Hodge, who will be retiring from his post this year. Hodge will serve in an advisory role to ensure a smooth transition.

Ross Stores and The TJX companies both reported a better-than-expected 8% same store sales increase during August. Shoppers continued to beat a path to Ross and TJX stores during August where exceptionally strong sales suggest consumers are unrelenting in their search for value amid protracted economic weakness.

CINCINNATI— Kroger is extending its summer fuel savings program through the fall and holiday seasons. Customers can now earn and redeem fuel points to save up to $2.00 off per gallon at Kroger Family of Stores Fuel Centers through Dec. 31.

"At our customers' request we are pleased to extend our special offer doubling potential fuel savings up to $2.00 per gallon through the busy fall and holiday shopping seasons," said Michael Donnelly, Kroger's SVP of merchandising.

NEW YORK — Macy's, Limited Brands and Gap Inc. all posted August same-store sales that topped analysts' estimates as retailers across the board generally posted strong sales, boosted by back-to-school shopping and aggressive promotions. The strong showing comes shortly after the news that consumer confidence for August slumped to its lowest level of the year.

Everyone who is anyone will be on hand in New York next week for the nineteenth annual Goldman Sachs Global Retailing Conference so its not surprising that Walmart U.S. president and CEO Bill Simon will be in attendance.

Sears Holdings will lose its spot in the S&P 500 after the close of trading on Sept. 4. It will be replaced by chemical maker LyondellBasell (LYB).

As one of America’s oldest retailers, Sears, Roebuck & Co. was one of the original members of the S&P 500 when the index was created in 1957 (69 of the index’s original components are still in the S&P 500 today, according to S&P’s Howard Silverblatt).

NEW YORK — Woolite is opening a branded pop-up boutique during New York Fashion Week. Located at 372 West Broadway in New York, the WooliteWashed boutique will open its doors to the public on Sept. 6 with a kick-off party during Fashion's Night Out, hosted by Cat Deeley from "So You Think You Can Dance" and celebrity style expert Jacqui Stafford.

A back-to-basics approach in Walmart’s apparel department has enabled the company to produce a modest degree of sales growth, but other value players are delivering high single digit comps.

Walmart reported its second consecutive quarter of positive same store sales in the apparel category during the second quarter when it produced a low single digit gain.