Target, Inc.

NEW YORK — The third annual Fashion’s Night Out -- created by Vogue editor Anna Wintour -- kicked off on Thursday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. Although the shopping extravaganza has spread to more than 100 U.S. cities as well as select cities abroad, its nexus remains in New York City. More than 1,000 Big Apple merchants and designers are participating in the event, which is the kickoff to the city’s Fashion Week industry gathering.

New York City -- The third annual Fashion’s Night Out -- created by Vogue editor Anna Wintour -- is set to kick off on Thursday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. Although the shopping extravaganza has spread to more than 100 U.S. cities as well as select cities abroad, its nexus remains in New York City. More than 1,000 Big Apple merchants and designers are participating in the event, which is the kickoff to the city’s Fashion Week industry gathering.

Columbus, Ohio -- Developers Diversified Realty and Glimcher Realty Trust announced Wednesday that the companies have entered into an agreement to swap two assets better aligned with the other’s operating platforms and strategies. 

DDR will sell Glimcher its open-air mall, Town Center Plaza, in Kansas City, Kan., and Glimcher will sell DDR its power center, Polaris Towne Center, in Columbus, Ohio.

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Target’s relationship with the Peterson Milla Hooks ad agency is ending soon but Ad Age reported on details of a final campaign set to air soon for the new Missoni line of apparel and accessories due to hit stores this month for a limited engagement. According to Ad Age, the new campaign includes a 30 second spot shot in Milan that features Margherita Missoni, granddaughter of Missoni’s founders.

So far so good. The third quarter at Target is off to a solid start as Target reported a 4.1% same-store sales increase that was squarely in the middle of the company’s guidance range, which called for an increase in the low to mid single digits.

Target last week announced the donation $250,000 in cash and product to assist with Hurricane Irene relief efforts, pushing the total amount the company has committed to domestic disaster relief to more than $1 million. The donations will be distributed among relief agencies including The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. In addition, Target is giving gift cards and 10,000 relief kits to other local, regional and national nonprofit organizations for such essentials as water and food.

The increases in average transaction size and customer traffic that Target credited with driving its 4.1% same-store sales increase during August is unwelcome news for Walmart. This is especially true since the biggest gains continue to come in categories where Walmart is traditionally strongest and is intent on demonstrating price leadership.

MINNEAPOLIS — The first month of Target’s third quarter is off to a solid start as the company reported a 4.1% same-store sales increase squarely in the middle of guidance that called for a low to mid single-digit gain.