Target, Inc.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target announced that it is offering a deluxe edition of Taylor Swift's upcoming fourth album, "Red." The deluxe edition of the album is available only at Target, and includes six bonus tracks (three new songs and three remixes). The exclusive edition of “Red” will be available for pre-order on Sept. 16, and at Target stores and on Target.com starting Oct. 22.

New York -- Michael Francis, who was ousted as president of J.C. Penney Co. in June, is going to Gap Inc., according to Ad Age.

Francis will serve as a marketing creative advisor for Gap, and join the chain in the advisory role on Sept. 16, the report said.

Sherman Oaks, Calif. -- Brand management company Cherokee Inc. said Thursday that it has acquired the Liz Lange Maternity and Completely Me brands from LLM Management Co., an affiliate of Bluestar Alliance, for about $14 million, effective Sept. 4.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has donated $150,000 in cash and products to assist with Hurricane Isaac relief efforts. A $120,000 cash donation was given to the American Red Cross in support of response efforts. An additional $20,000 in product donations and $10,000 in Target gift cards will be given to other nonprofit organizations in affected areas for essentials such as water and food.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has partnered with music star P!nk for an exclusive edition of her sixth studio album “The Truth About Love.” The deluxe edition of the album features four additional tracks and will be offered exclusively at Target stores nationwide beginning Sept. 18. Fans can now pre-order the deluxe edition at Target.com.

By Kathy Gersch, [email protected]

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.

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.

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.

New York -- Discounters reported strong-than-expected sales for August, fueled by back-to-school shopping, promotions and cooler weather in the Northeast.

Costco Wholesale Corp.'s same-store sales in August rose 6%, beating the 4.5% rise analysts had projected.

Target Corp. reported a 4.2% increase in same-store sales, better than the 3.1% increase that analysts had expected.