Target, Inc.

More smaller, “flex-format” stores are in Target’s future.

Target Corp. CEO Brian Cornell sees the chain eventually opening hundreds of smaller “flex-format” stores, he told reporters Wednesday prior to the company’s fall national meeting at its Minneapolis headquarters, Bloomberg reported.

Target has opened 23 smaller stores in major cities, with plans to add nine more this year, including one in the Tribeca section of downtown Manhattan.

Target shoppers will be doing real cartwheels next time they launch their discount app.

The mass merchandiser quietly launched an experimental customer loyalty program that allows shoppers to rack up points during store visits. Called “redperks” on the company’s Website, the program rewards Target shoppers with 10 points for every dollar spent in stores. Once shoppers hit 5,000 points, they can choose their reward.

The holiday hiring wars have begun.

Target Corp. is the first national retailer to announce its holiday hiring plans with the news that it plans to hire 70,000 seasonal store associates. The amount is the same as last year.

In addition, the discounter plan to hire 7,500 employees to work in its distribution and fulfillment facilities during the holiday season, which is slightly up from last year.

Students at Boston University have a new, convenient shopping option.   Target Corp. has opened one of its smaller format stores adjacent to the West Campus section of the university, reported BU Today. Similar stores are set to open in the coming months near the University of Chicago and at Penn State.   The 16,000-sq.-ft. Boston store carries merchandise specifically geared toward college students, from food staples like ramen noodles to bedding and bath essentials.  

Target Corp. is putting out the red carpet for the opening of New York Fashion Week.     The retailer, in partnership with IMG, the parent company behind Fashion Week, opened a temporary sing-a-long piano lounge at The Park at Moynihan Station (on West 33rd Street), one of the official NYFW venues. It kicked off the fashion event with an opening party that drew such luminaries as Queen Latifah, Christie Brinkley, and Kendall Jenner.  

Target Corp. is losing its top marketing honcho just months before it enters its most important selling season.   Jeff Jones, executive VP, chief marketing officer at Target, will depart the discounter effective Sept. 9. Jones will be joining Uber as president, ridesharing. He will responsible for Uber’s operations, marketing and customer support globally.   Target is conducting an external and internal search for Jones' replacement.  

Chain Store Age unveils its first-ever SPECS/2017 Ambassadors Club, created to recognize 12 retailers who have made significant contributions to the industry and to SPECS, the annual Retail Event for Store Innovation. Produced by CSA, SPECS is attended by retail and food-service executives involved in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of stores and restaurants nationwide.    

Chain Store Age announced the selection of the Advisory Board for SPECS/2017, the annual retail event for store innovation produced by CSA and attended by retail and food-service executives involved in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of stores and restaurants nationwide.     Now in its 53rd year, SPECS will host its 2017 conference in Orlando, Florida, at the Gaylord Palms, March 12-14. The event will focus on what’s next, and what is shaping the future of retail.