Retail

High on the list of things that can go wrong with Target’s entry into Canada is Quebec. The large province accounts for about 23% of the nation’s nearly 35 million residents, and because French is the official language, it means Target decision to acquire Zeller’s leases means it is essentially entering two international markets simultaneously.

Unemployment is a double-edged sword when it comes to the retail industry. The high single-digit rate in the United States means retailers can be more selective in their choice of hourly workers but the downside of fewer people working is less money sloshing around the economy for shoppers to spend. The situation in Canada is the opposite of the United States, and there are some major implications for Target.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us has become the latest retailer to join the trend of starting "Black Friday" on Thanksgiving night. The company announced that, for the first time, it will open its doors at 9 p.m. on Nov. 24. On Nov. 24, customers will also find the company's Thanksgiving-weekend circular, whichis filled with more than $12,500 in savings, including doorbusters, Thursday through Saturday discounts and free gift-with-purchase offers, Toys"R'Us said.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot announced that Steve Schmidt has been named president international. Schmidt, who previously served as EVP corporate strategy and new business development, will continue to report to Neil Austrian, chairman and CEO of Office Depot.

Schmidt will oversee Office Depot’s multichannel (contract, direct and retail) international business that sells to customers directly or through affiliates in 56 countries outside of the U.S. and Canada.

Between now and March 2013, when the first Target stores open in Canada, there is a whole lot of heavy lifting to be done at the retailer’s new headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar is expanding into California for the first time with the opening of four new stores in Ontario, Rialto, Riverside and Fontana. The company's aggressive growth plans also include 450 to 500 new stores to be opened in fiscal 2012.  

ST. LOUIS — Ralcorp Holdings announced that Terence Block will serve as president and COO of Post Holdings Inc., effective January 1, 2012 . Block will also join the board of directors of Post Holdings following completion of the separation of the Ralcorp and Post cereal business.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings announced that its Sears Outlet stores will honor competitor's Black Friday ads through Nov. 30. Customers may bring in a Black Friday ad they find online, and if Sears Outlet has the same item model, brand and color in the store, they will match the price at the time of purchase, even if it is before Black Friday. Full price match details are available at www.searsoutlet.com/holidaypricematch.