Displays & Signs

Target’s toy catalog is set for release on Nov. 1 and will feature an expanded assortment displayed across eight additional pages with discount coupons for savings of more than $350.

To help busy parents stay organized during the holiday season, the toy catalog focuses on list building and includes checkboxes next to every item, and a special tear-out list for kids to complete. According to the company, it is offering nearly 7,000 toys online and in stores and will offer discounts on 2,000 of those items throughout the season.

New York City -- An overwhelming majority (72%) of U.S. consumers expect their holiday spending to be “careful” or “controlled” in 2011, according to Accenture’s annual consumer holiday shopping study. Discounts, sales and prices are still top of mind this holiday, with 40% of consumers saying an item being on sale is the single most important factor in their decision to purchase.

New York City -- Footwear designer Jean-Michel Cazabat said he will open his first U.S. store on Oct. 8 in New York City's West Village.

New York City -- Costco Wholesale Corp. turned in a strong September performance, recording a 12% rise in same-store sales for the month.

Target Corp., helped by strong sales of groceries, beauty products and clothing, saw September same-store sales rise 5.3%. Sales for the period rose 6.5% to $5.9 billion.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. PLANO, Texas and CINCINNATI – While Kohl’s and Macy’s posted September sales growth, JCPenney had to scale its outlook back after a weaker than expected month.

Kohl’s reported that sales for September increased 5.8% and comparable-store sales increased 4.1% over the same period last year. 

MINNEAPOLIS — Target is the latest in a line of retailers to put out a list of what it thinks will be the top toys of the holiday season. Many of Target's hottest toys, including FIJIT friends and the LeapFrog branded LeapPad, are also on toy lists for Toys"R"Us, Kmart and Walmart. 

By Keith Scott, VP for business development, Bridgelux

A couple of promotional pieces from Walmart hit the marketplace in recent weeks underscoring that Walmart may be nearing the completion of its Project Impact course correction strategy.

The week of Sept. 18 a four-page insert dropped announcing that “fabrics are back” and that new and expanded product assortment are available in 2,000 stores. This past weekend another promotion piece hit the market focused on the hunting category with a similar message around new and expanded assortments.