Retail

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has disclosed the location of its first 24 stores in Canada. As previously announced, Target purchased the leasehold interests of 189 sites currently operated by Zellers Inc., and plans to open 125 to 135 stores in Canada, the majority of which will open in 2013.

Target plans to open stores in the following locations in March/early April 2013:

• London Westmount, Westmount Shopping Centre

• Kawartha Lakes, Lindsay Square Mall

Online sales increased 15% to $35.3 billion from Nov. 1 through Dec. 25 compared with the same time period the prior year, according to the online measurement firm comScore.

Just in time for the Consumer Electronics Show next week in Las Vegas, Market Research Solutions (MRS) is out with a new report that provides unconventional insights into the 2011 holiday season and outlook for 2012.

The Tampa, Fla.-based research firm surveyed 272 department managers in early December at such retailers as Walmart, Target, Best Buy, HhGregg and dominant regional players to gain a unique perspective on a category of business that is the most dynamic in retail. Among some of the key findings MRS provided exclusively to RetailingToday.com were:

PHOENIX — PetSmart CEO Robert Moran has taken on the additional role of chairman of the board, the company announced Friday. Moran has been the company's president and CEO since 2009, and served as president and COO from 2001 to 2009. Phil Francis, previously executive chairman, will remain a member of the board.

Just when it looked like Walmart shares might be ready to make a run earlier this week after poking above $60 for the first time in more than three years, along came Target to spoil the party.

Family Dollar reported quarterly results after the market closed Thursday and offered a reminder why Walmart suppliers who participated in last month’s Connecting Northwest Arkansas Supplier Survey ranked dollar stores as the greatest competitive threat to Walmart in the next five years.

CHICAGO — Claire's Stores has announced that Eugene Kahn , the company's CEO, has resigned. The company said its board of directors will conduct a search for a new CEO and will consider both internal and external candidates for this position. In the meantime, James Conroy , president of Claire's Stores, and Jay Friedman , president of Claire's North American Division, will form an interim office of the CEO, reporting to the board of directors. All of these management changes are effective immediately.

CHICAGO — Galleria Retail Technology Solutions, a provider of retail and category optimization solutions, has announced that grocer A&P has chosen Galleria to help optimize its merchandising strategy and improve the customer experience within its more than 300 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic stores.

A&P will roll out several of Galleria’s solutions throughout its family of supermarkets.