Target, Inc.

Three top executives from Walmart were among the 50 most powerful women recognized recently by Fortune.

The business publication put Sam’s Club president and CEO Rosalind Brewer at 12th on the list with Walmart U.S. EVP and COO Gisel Ruiz ranked 21st. Also making the list in 36^{th place was Susan Chambers, Walmart’s EVP of the global people division.}

New York -- Costco Wholesale Corp. reported a better-than-expected 6% rise in September same-store sales, helped by higher gasoline prices and a stronger dollar. Excluding the impact of gasoline prices and foreign exchange, comparable September same-store sales rose 5%.

Net sales rose 8% to $9.31 billion in the five weeks ended Sept. 30. Costco, which currently operates 608 warehouses, said it plans to open up to 14 new warehouses prior to the end of calendar year 2012.

Target this week joined the ranks of retailers who will no longer provide monthly sales and in the process denied Walmart merchants insight into the performance of a chief rival.

Deciding back in January 2011 to spend roughly $1.8 billion to acquire 220 Zellers’ leases was easy compared to the challenge Target has undertaken more recently in Canada.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. will introduce QR codes in stores in time for the holiday shopping season. Beginning Oct. 14, each of the chain’s Top 20 toys will have a QR code that shoppers can scan with their mobile device, allowing them to purchase the toy directly and ship it for free to anyone, anywhere in the U.S. The toys will be promoted with signs featuring the QR codes.

Target this week entered the seasonal fray dominated so far by Walmart and Toys "R" Us attempting to outdo one another with announcements about their layaway offers, product reservation programs and top toy lists.

Silicon Valley companies paved the way for corporate America to offer non-traditional workplace amenities and now Target has joined their ranks.

In case you missed it, Retailing Today published its annual Insights 2013 issue recently and while Target is currently the nation’s sixth largest retailer that position is likely to change in 2013.

It is conceivable Target could become the nation’s fourth largest retailer by this time next year, overtaking both Home Depot and Walgreens.