Target, Inc.

Lewisville, Texas – Consumers prefer prepaid cards that can be used anywhere to gift cards from specific retailers and physical cards to digital cards.

According to the new “People Prefer Prepaid Rewards” study from Parago, more than half of shoppers prefer prepaid cards over gift cards from Amazon, iTunes, Target, Walmart, Home Depot and more. In addition, two out of three shoppers prefer physical cards over digital cards.

Enesco, LLC, a leading global designer, producer and marketer of branded giftware, plush toys and home and garden décor, has appointed Molly C. Kinney as president of Department 56, a wholly owned subsidiary of Enesco.

Kinney replaces Susan Azar, who recently resigned her position after 10 years with Department 56. 

San Diego  — Representing a real estate investment trust, The Mansour Group has sold a portfolio of five Applebee’s for $13.3 million.

To complete the transaction, The Mansour Group sourced a private high net worth California investor, who sold an apartment complex and acquired the portfolio through a 1031 exchange. The restaurants are located in North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Minnesota and Kentucky:

Following the lead of specialty retailers such as Lululemon and Athletica, Target has unveiled an exclusive collection of fashion-forward lifestyle apparel for men, women and children — C9 by Champion — just in time for the fall and holiday season.

Target has launched a streaming digital video service nationwide. Called Target Ticket, it gives customers an easy way to access and enjoy movies on preferred digital channels and devices at any time. 

Target has a partnership with San Francisco-based Common Sense Media, a nonprofit group that reviews movies and television shows. The retailer said the partnership would make it easier for parents to choose the right content for their children and set up filters for violence, profanity and ratings and customize a profile for each family member.

Minneapolis – Target Corp. is rolling out its Target Ticket digital video service nationwide. The service allows users to download and view digital video content on their personal digital devices and channels.

Traditionally, retailers relied on advertising and direct response to succeed. To make more money, retailers simply let more people know about their stores and products.

New York -- Shaky consumer confidence and increased efficiencies among retailers may put a damper on retailers’ holiday hiring plans, according to global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

In its annual holiday hiring forecast, Challenger estimated that seasonal job gains will not see a significant decline from last year’s robust numbers, but they are likely to at best match the level of hiring that occurred in October, November, and December 2012.