Sales & Marketing

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.

Toronto -- McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited and MasterCard Canada have introduced the MasterCard PayPass contactless payment technology at participating restaurant locations throughout the country.

PayPass point-of-sale payment terminals have been installed at more than 1,400 McDonald's restaurants in Canada, giving patrons the option to tap-and-go when making purchases.

Overall, the number of inserts and pages declined slightly across the retailer set in June 2011 versus June 2010.

Houston -- Los Angeles-based Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services said that it has hired Derek Hargrove as a senior associate in the Houston office.

In his new position, Hargrove focuses on the sale of multi-tenant shopping centers throughout southwest Texas. He also holds the title of associate director of Marcus & Millichap’s National Retail Group.
 

NEW YORK — The Jones Group announced that it has entered into an exclusive, world-wide license agreement with Philip Simon Brands Group for the creation, production, marketing and global distribution of a fashion sneaker collection under the Nine West brand.  

Seattle -- Starbucks said Monday that it is dividing responsibilities for its business into three global regions (instead of the current two, U.S. and international) in order to accelerate global growth.

The company has appointed three of its executives to lead the three regions: Asia; the Americas: and the combination of Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Cliff Burrows will expand his current role as president, Starbucks U.S. to president, Americas, with responsibility for the United States, Canada, Mexico and Latin America.

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. 

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.