Target, Inc.

American consumers may not like inflation, but retailers are enjoying the favorable impact rising prices have on their same-store sales calculations. It was evident last month when most retailers reported healthy comp increases, and more of the same could be in store for July as it appears retailers are effectively passing through increased prices to shoppers.

Here’s a good idea for retailers looking to bring a sense of newness and a treasure hunt atmosphere to stores. Sign exclusive agreements with known and emerging designers or upscale brands during limited duration merchandising events as a means to achieve differentiation. Sound familiar?

Target pursued this concept more than a decade ago with general merchandise and earlier this year observed the 5th anniversary of the Go International designer program with a collection of products from past designers.

Appearing at number 21 on this year’s ranking of the 50 most powerful people in the food industry is Target chairman, president and CEO Gregg Steinhafel. Compiled by Supermarket News, Steinhafel is probably ranked about where he should be considering the company’s position in the hierarchy of food retailers and other people in positions of power whose actions influence impacts the food universe. Click here to view the list.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu announced that it has named Leon Bergmann as president of its independent business organization, reporting to Craig Herkert, CEO and president. He replaces Mark Anderson, who will be retiring from Supervalu later this summer.

NEW YORK— Target, Kohl's and JCPenney ranked highest among discounters in consumer perception in the first half of 2011, according to YouGov BrandIndex. The company interviews 5,000 people each weekday from a representative U.S. population sample, more than 1.2 million interviews per year.

Here is YouGov’s Retail Buzz scores for discounters in the first half of 2011:

1.  Target (33.9) 

2. Kohl's (29.5) 

3. J.C. Penney (23.9) 

New York City -- Target, Kohl's and J.C. Penney ranked highest among discounters in consumer perception in the first half of 2011, according to YouGov BrandIndex. The company interviews 5,000 people each weekday from a representative U.S. population sample, more than 1.2 million interviews per year.

Here is YouGov’s Retail Buzz scores for discounters in the first half of 2011:

I’m not shedding any tears over the demise of Borders and neither is anyone else in the retail industry. It’s just business.

There are always a few sentimental customers who turn up with a choice quote or two in the formulaic media eulogies that appear whenever a retailer goes under, but those customers will just have to find somewhere else to sip coffee and read books for free.

Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers’ Pleasant Hill (Calif.) Shopping Center has more going for it than a vibrant market and a strong anchor lineup. Ross Dress for Less has debuted in the 234,000-sq.-ft. center with its 1,000th store location.

Ross’s new 30,000-sq.-ft. store opened on July 16, bringing Pleasant Hill to 99% occupancy. Other tenants include Target, Toys “R” Us and Barnes & Noble Booksellers alongside national retailers including Men’s Wearhouse, Payless ShoeSource, GameStop, Metro PCS and soon-to-open In-N-Out Burger.