Target spent $530,000 on lobbying

New York City Target Corp. spent $530,000 on lobbying in the fourth quarter, focusing on legislation involving credit-card reform, organized crime, health care and other matters, according to the Associated Press.

The retailer also lobbied on healthcare issues in the October-December period.

One of the most high-profile issues that Target monitored was the Credit Card Act, which is meant to give credit-card users more information and stop policies that many consider abusive. The bulk of the law -- which focuses on "credit card accountability, responsibility and disclosure" -- kicked in last month.

Target, which sold 47% of its credit card receivables to JPMorgan Chase in May 2008, has seen its profits dragged down by delinquencies in its credit-card business and has tightened its credit card underwriting standards to reduce risk, the report said.