Sales & Marketing

Target Corp. has brought its new flexible-format store model to Chicago’s Lincoln Park North.   The 33,000-sq.-ft. store, which features Target’s first Freshii café, has been carefully curated for the neighborhood, and includes home items sized for condos and small space living and artwork that reflects the local culture and community. The creative force behind the bold art installations was hometown artist Cody Hudson and his team at Struggle Inc.  

Kohl’s Corp. beat analysts’ expectations for the second quarter even as its sales continued to show weakness.     The retailer posted a profit of $140 million, or 77 cents a share for the quarter ended July 30, compared with $130 million, or 66 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Excluding certain items, earnings rose to $1.22 a share from $1.07 a year ago.   Revenue fell 2% to a better-than-expected $4.18 billion. Same-store sales fell 1.8%.  

Wal-Mart Stores’ Mexican unit is shedding its apparel store chain.   Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB (Walmex) is selling its Suburbia chain to El Puerto de Liverpool SAB, one of the largest department store operators in Mexico, in a deal valued at 19 billion pesos ($1.03 billion), Bloomberg reported.  

“I'm sad to see this news. Macy's is an iconic retailer with a long history of success, and one of many victims of Amazon success. In the same week that Jeff Bezos pockets roughly $800 million personal dollars, Macy's is forced to suffer a tremendous physical retail loss.  

Andrews Square in the Buckhead section of Atlanta is being infused with local flavor.    Signed as the new anchor at the center in the affluent neighborhood’s West Village section is Lucy’s Market, a purveyor of organics, fresh produce, and prepared meals owned by West Village resident Kim Wilson.   Center owner Edens is in the midst of a makeover of Andrews Square intended to make it blend with the local landscape and culture.  

CVS Health on Thursday announced the launch of CVS Pay, its own end-to-end mobile payment solution. It is the pharmacy chain's first official mobile payments solution.   CVS Pay – now part of the CVS Pharmacy mobile app – integrates payment, prescription pickup and the ExtraCare loyalty program all in one scan at checkout.    

Flying Tiger Copenhagen is expanding its footprint in the United States.   Known for its quirky, fun and ever-changing assortment of Danish-designed goods, the discounter is set to open on New York City's Upper West Side on Aug. 13. The 2,000-sq.-ft. store will be the brand's fourth location in the New York area.    

Pottery Barn opened its redesigned store at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California.    The 17,293-sq.-ft. store is influenced by the Spanish Mediterranean architecture found throughout Orange County, blending traditional and contemporary elements to create a refined and relaxed environment. As part of Pottery Barn’s commitment to sustainability, the store features LED lighting to reduce energy consumption and low VOC paints to reduce toxins.