Department Store

The National Retail Federation testified before Congress Wednesday on the need to pass a federal data breach notification law that applies to all entities that handle sensitive customer data.

Los Angeles -- American Express is preparing to launch a customer loyalty program in the U.S. that will enable shoppers at select retailers to rack up points that they can use toward future purchases at Macy's, Exxon Mobil, AT&T and other participating companies.

The free program, set to debut in May, is dubbed Plenti and will also include Nationwide, Rite Aid, Direct Energy and Hulu, American Express said Wednesday.

New York -- Target Corp. will raise its minimum wage to $9 per hour, with the change effective in April, according to a report late Wednesday afternoon by Dow Jones.

The move comes after several other major retailers, most recently Walmart and TJX Cos., unveiled similar wage hikes. It also comes amid a tightening job market.

Amid a fast-changing industry in which retailers seek to harmonize their online and physical stores, the largest retailer in the world has announced the date of its annual shareholders meeting.

Wal-Mart Stores announced the meeting will be held on June 5 at 7 a.m. CDT in the Bud Walton Arena at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark.

The meeting will be webcast on the company’s website at http://stock.walmart.com. The company also announced that April 10 is the record date for that meeting.

A shift toward online sales is one reason why J. Crew Group Inc. says it lost $30.6 million in the fourth quarter.

The retailer has been dealing with traffic problems at its namesake stores as more of its customers migrate to the J. Crew website, the company says. 

Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Meijer will up its fashion game with the spring launch of a Skechers concept shop inside the Knapp's Corner Meijer, Michigan, about one year after the retailer unveiled a fresh approach to lure grocery customers across the center aisle to its apparel offerings.

"Our customers have realized just how serious we are about providing on-trend fashion items at the right price," said Peter Whitsett, executive VP of merchandising and marketing for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based supercenter.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. launched an enhanced return policy covering all of the retailer’s 32 owned and exclusive brands, which extends the return window to one year from the date of purchase.

The retailer also rolled out a one-year return guarantee for guests using Target’s baby, college or wedding gift registry.

Target has been hit with a slew of negative reports recently, and now the retailer is trying to do something positive for its image by making its return policy more shopper-friendly.

Target Corp. announced an enhanced return policy Wednesday covering all of the retailer’s 32 owned and exclusive brands, which extends the return window to one year from the date of purchase. The retailer also rolled out a one-year return guarantee for guests using Target’s baby, college or wedding gift registry.