Mass Merchant

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has partnered with music star P!nk for an exclusive edition of her sixth studio album “The Truth About Love.” The deluxe edition of the album features four additional tracks and will be offered exclusively at Target stores nationwide beginning Sept. 18. Fans can now pre-order the deluxe edition at Target.com.

Toys "R"Usenhanced its layaway program by dropping some fees and Walmart quickly responded.

Toys "R" Us dropped the $5 service fee and minimum purchase requirement from its layaway program in a bid to capture sales of those who begin their holiday shopping early.The company said it changed the rules for its layaway program, instituted in 2009, to waive the $5 upfront service fee and eliminate the minimum purchase requirement for all orders created in stores through October 31.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores said Friday that its new store in Portland, Ore., will feature the state’s largest green roof.

According to a report by Oregon’s Daily Journal of Commerce, the 90,000-sq.-ft. store, which broke ground Friday in North Portland, will be topped by a 40,600-sq.-ft. green roof, surpassing by more than 10,000 sq. ft. the current largest green roof over the Ramona apartment complex in Portland.

By Kathy Gersch, [email protected]

Bentonville, Ark. -- According to multiple reports on Tuesday, Walmart is testing a new iPhone app that will allow shoppers to scan items using their iPhones and complete their transactions at in-store self-checkout kiosks.

Walmart is piloting its Scan & Go program in its Rogers, Ark. store. The system is not designed for mobile payment transactions but rather to allow shoppers to complete purchases as they shop in the store.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu has launched a new, single-size version of its Java Delight brand of premium coffee.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has donated $150,000 in cash and products to assist with Hurricane Isaac relief efforts. A $120,000 cash donation was given to the American Red Cross in support of response efforts. An additional $20,000 in product donations and $10,000 in Target gift cards will be given to other nonprofit organizations in affected areas for essentials such as water and food.

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market said Friday that it has launched two new eco-friendly gift cards, with plans to replace the  recycled plastic cards that will be phased out over time.

The new cards – one made of paper and the other of responsibly harvested wood— are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and have a lower carbon footprint, are reusable, recyclable, compostable and require less energy to be produced.