Target, Inc.

Target stores in Canada will have pharmacies, but the company will employ a franchise operating model as opposed to direct ownership as is the case in the United States.

The company said it plans to operate pharmacies in as many of its stores in Canada as possible and will begin its search for pharmacist franchise owners in March.

Minneapolis -- Target on Monday announced it will seek independent pharmacists to own and operate the pharmacies in its stores in Canada. The chain said it will utilize a pharmacy franchise model for its stores north of the border, the first of which will open in March/April 2013. The strategy is different than in the United States, where Target operates its own in-store pharmacies.

Minneapolis — Just a few weeks after unveiling the locations of its first 24 stores in Canada, Target released an expanded list of stores that will debut in 2013.

The stores listed included two in Alberta, two in British Columbia, 29 in Ontario and one in Saskatchewan. Additional details can be viewed here.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has announced the names of the 50 recipients that were selected to receive a $100,000 grant to purchase much-needed resources and improve their learning environments. The $5 million donation from Target to K-through-12 schools in 31 states across the country is part of the company’s commitment to education, which includes plans to give $1 billion for education by the end of 2015.

NEW YORK— The transformation of JCPenney into America’ favorite store will begin with dramatically simplified pricing strategy and promotional cadence supplemented by an improved product presentation that will allow the 110-year-old company to regain its personality with a new generation of shoppers, according to CEO Ron Johnson.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has promoted John Mulligan to the position of EVP and CFO, effective April 1. Mulligan currently serves as SVP finance. He replaces Doug Scovanner, Target’s EVP and CFO for the past 18 years, who announced his retirement in November 2011, effective March 31. 

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. announced Tuesday it has promoted current senior VP-finance John Mulligan to executive VP and CFO, effective April 1.

The announcement concludes a comprehensive search which included both internal and external candidates, said Target.

Mulligan succeeds Doug Scovanner, who announced his retirement last November.

A 16-year Target veteran, Mulligan has held leadership positions in finance, target.com and human resources.

NAPLES, Fla. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association has appointed new members to its board of directors, including a new board chairman.

RILA said Target chairman, president and CEO Gregg Steinhafel was appointed RILA chairman of the board. Steinhafel, who previously served as vice chairman, succeeds Bill Rhodes, who currently serves as chairman, president and CEO of AutoZone.

One thing merchants know about markdowns is they are best taken early and at a modest level to stimulate sales as opposed clinging too long to the belief goods will sell at full price only to realize steeper cuts are needed. Apparently this philosophy doesn’t apply in the financial services world where Target has temporarily suspended the sale of its credit card receivables portfolio on better terms.

Usually Walmart is the retailer promoting the midnight release of some hot Hollywood title, but early next month Target is taking a run at the new release strategy with the release of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1.