Retail

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. has pulled back the curtain on its new small-format store, TargetExpress, in the “Dinkeytown” section of Minneapolis. The 20,000-sq.-ft. store is just steps away from the University of Minnesota. (See the video tour). 

Target plans to open four TargetExpress stores in 2015, with three locations in the San Francisco Bay Area, and one in the Highland Park area of St. Paul.

Milwaukee – The board of directors of Roundy’s Inc. has named Michael Turzenski, currently Roundy’s group VP and chief accounting officer, as group VP, CFO. Turzenski replaces Darren Karst, who is leaving the company to become CFO of Rite Aid Corp. as of Aug. 10.

Turzenski has served in his current role since February 2012. Turzenski joined Roundy’s in 2007 as VP, controller.

Atlanta – A variety of costs drove net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 at Aaron’s Inc. down 67% to $8.5 million from $25.9 million in the same period a year earlier. Expenses related to Aaron’s April 2014 purchase of lease-to-own company Progressive Finance Holdings, as well as advisory and strategic costs and costs related to store closures, impacted net earnings.

A heightened emphasis on e-commerce, store closures and operational efficiencies are among the strategic initiatives underway at Aaron’s where the operator of 2,100 stores is looking to restore growth of furniture, electronics, appliances and accessories.

The company posted disappointing second quarter results which prompted CEO Ronald Allen to elaborate on several strategies the company had highlighted earlier this year.

DreamWorks Animation makes its official foray into the retail space with the launch of DreamPlace, a state-of-the-art reimagining of the holiday retail experience slated to be unveiled at select GGP and Forest malls this holiday season.

DreamPlace is a 2,000-sq.-ft. holiday cottage and combines the latest technology with magical storytelling from creative minds behind such hit franchises as Shrek, Madagascar and How to Train Your Dragon. DreamPlace reimagines one of the signature moments of childhood – meeting Santa Claus.

For the third consecutive year, Office Depot has enlisted the aid of actor, comedian and America’s Got Talent host Nick Cannon to help execute an innovate back-to-school program.
 

Philadelphia -- Destination Maternity Corp. has stopped its pursuit of the United Kingdom’s Britain's Mothercare Plc chain after having two bid proposals rejected.

Fashionable new product assortments and innovative customers conveniences supported by clever marketing are being used by Sears and Kmart to entice parents and students this back-to-school season.