Mass Merchant

Boasting a high resolution screen, long battery life and fast page-turn performance, a new e-reader called the iriver Story HD is set to hit Target stores this weekend. The product is a big deal because it integrates with Google eBooks and Target will be the exclusive retailer of the device, at least for a while as exclusives on hot new electronics items tend to be fleeting.

Delinquency rates in Target’s credit card portfolio are now at their lowest level in three years as more people are paying their bills on time. It is an encouraging sign for the long-term health of the nation’s economy to know that people are increasingly using credit in a responsible manner, at least those who have a Target card anyway, and therefore more likely to honor their obligations.

Target is looking for a low to mid-single digit increase in July same-store sales even though it posted a June increase of 4.5% that exceeded analysts’ estimates and came in at the high end of the company’s range of anticipated results. 

Ada, Okla. — Mach Speed Technologies has announced the launch of Eclipse MP3 Music & Video Players at 700 Best Buy locations across the United States. The prices on these models will start at a $19.99 price point and go up to $39.99.

According to the company, this is the first time Best Buy will be carrying opening price point MP3 players.

Minneapolis -- Supervalu on Monday that it is not removing the self check-out lanes from the 460 Albertsons stores that it owns and operates in Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Southern California, Utah, Washington state and Wyoming.

Torrington, Conn. -- Centro Properties Group said that two retailers, Metro PCS and Dollar General, have joined Torrington Plaza, located in Torrington, Conn.

Metro PCS recently opened and currently occupies 1,200 sq. ft. Dollar General has executed a lease and will be occupying 11,000 sq. ft. in the shopping center.

Torrington Plaza is owned and operated by New York City-based Centro.
 

Indio, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers announced that Party City has opened Coachella Valley’s first store, at Regency’s Indio Towne Center, in Indio, Calif.

The new 20,390-sq.-ft. store will open this fall, joining an under-construction Toys “R” Us/Babies “R” Us, also slated to open in the fall.

New York City -- Target Corp. has won approval to put its signature red logo on one of Chicago's most famous buildings. The Permit Review Committee of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks on Thursday approved the chain’s request to allow its bull's eye to be placed on its new store planned for downtown Chicago.

MINNEAPOLIS - The 4.5% increase in same-store sales Target reported for June was at the high end of the company’s expectations and came on top of a prior year increase of 1.7%. The gain was driven primarily by an increase in average transaction size while growth in the overall volume of transactions appeared to moderate somewhat.

Target chairman, president and CEO Gregg Steinhafel said he was very pleased with the company’s performance at the upper end of a guidance range that called for a low-to-mid single-digit improvement.

NEW YORK – Department-store retailers turned out solid sales results in June, despite concerns about consumers cutting back on spending.

Macy’s Inc. reported that its total sales for the fiscal month of June increased 7.5% to $2.392 billion from $2.226 billion last year. The retailer reported a same-store sales increase of 6.7% for the month.