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Minneapolis -- Target wants to keep things simple.

The retailer, which has been moving to simplify its operations, is now taking a similar approach to its store identity. Starting in October, Target will begin the process of rebranding all of its CityTarget and TargetExpress stores as “Target.”

New York -- Uniqlo is coming to Boston.

The Japanese fast-fashion retailer will open its first permanent store in the city, a two-level, 12,000-sq.-ft. flagship in Faneuil Hall Marketplace in October.

In a nod to its surroundings, the store will feature heavy earth tones, wood, and brick with the original walls of the structure exposed. Open ceilings will highlight the building’s original wood trusses.

Hangzhou, China – Alibaba Holding Group Inc. is tapping a former longtime partner at Goldman Sachs to oversee the online giant’s international growth.

Michael Evans, who is also a member of the Alibaba board, has been named president of Alibaba Group, effective immediately.

“Now Trending” is a new exclusive online series to chainstoreage.com, featuring trending topics that impact the retail real estate landscape.

In recent years, a very old practice has gotten some new attention: design is once again ascendant in the world of commercial development.

While design never went away, of course, the degree to which great design is being prioritized, cultivated and integrated into the development of memorable spaces and places is noteworthy.

Petco is preparing for a potential initial public offering or sale that could value the pet supplies retailer at between $4 billion and $5 billion.

Reuters is reporting that the retailer has selected Goldman Sachs to help with an IPO of the San Diego-based company that could take place as soon as this year.

Hoboken, N.J. – Newly launched Amazon rival Jet.com promises to deliver the lowest prices available online through a dynamic pricing system that constantly scans the Internet for the best possible deals.

New York - Barnes & Noble Inc. on Monday completed the separation of its retail store and college businesses.

Following the spinoff, Michael Huseby, former CEO of Barnes & Noble, became executive chairman of Barnes & Noble Education, which will have a separate board of directors.

Hangzhou, China – Alibaba is launching an omnichannel partnership with one of professional basketball’s biggest stars. Alibaba Holding Group Inc. and Kobe Inc., a newly formed company by NBA player Kobe Bryant, will collaborate with Chinese media company Sina to create a new social media platform.

Fast fashion retailer Uniqlo is expanding its collection of Disney apparel and taking its partnership with Disney to a whole new level with a planned flagship store at Disney World.

The fast growing Japanese retailer will open a store in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in the spring. It will be the retailer's first store in the southeastern U.S. Uniqlo already has 42 stores in the U.S. and plans to open more stores this year.

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New York -- Another retailer is going from clicks to bricks.