News Briefs

[READ MORE: Sprouts opens SoCal distribution center]

Headquartered in Phoenix, Sprouts operates more than 480 stores in 25 states.

Target is cutting prices as it looks to attract value-minded "busy families."

The discount giant is lowering prices on more than 3,000 popular items across its apparel and home assortment, baby essentials and select food and beverages. The price reductions, most of which are 5% to 20% lower than the original price, start in March and continue throughout spring.

 Target said its new seasonal price reductions are the latest example of its strategy to deliver style and design at value to customers and drive long-term, sustainable growth for the company. (The reduced prices are not available in Alaska and Hawaii.) The reductions build on thousands of items Target lowered in November 2025.

The new round of price cuts also come after new CEO Michael Fiddelke unveiled the chain's turnaround plan, and spoke about the  the changes it is making to enhance its appeal to "busy families."
 

[READ MORE: Target reveals turnaround plan — investing $6B in stores, tech and workers]

"Busy families are thinking about value as they begin to update their homes and wardrobes for spring," said Cara Sylvester, executive VP and chief merchandising officer, Target. "We're delivering by lowering prices on 3,000 spring favorites across apparel, essentials and home. We're committed to making it easier than ever for guests to have the fresh style and incredible value they love, with lower prices on the items we know they want."

Examples of categories and products where Target is reducing prices include:

• Apparel: Women's and kids' styles;
• Home: Bedding sets, blankets and sheets;
• Shoes: Footwear including flats, sandals, sneakers and more; and
• Everyday: Baby items, household essentials and pantry staples.

Minneapolis-based Target Corp. operates nearly 2,000 stores and the Target.com e-commerce site.

Kingsbury Center, a 53,910-sq.-ft. retail property in Chicago in the city's affluent Lincoln Park neighborhood, will soon get a big boost in store traffic.

Marcus & Millichap has arranged financing of $13.7 million for the new owners of the property, who will be allowed to transfer the center’s available air rights for the construction of a 28-story apartment building across the street.

Kingsbury Center, which is anchored by Sky Zone and PetSmart, has 500,000 square feet of air rights, and its owners are able to transfer the unused zoning capacity from one property to another to allow for denser construction.

Air rights from a second nearby property will also be assigned to the residential build. 

“This transaction reflects the strength of experienced sponsorship and the continued demand for well‑located retail assets in core urban markets,” said Dean Giannakopoulos, senior managing director in Marcus & Millichap’s Chicago office.

Media giant Time has named Target its inaugural design partner for four marquee events in 2026.

The partnership, described as “first-of-its kind,” will span the Time Women of the Year Leadership Forum & Gala, Time100 Creators and Time100 Next. It will also include the debut of Time100 Sports, Time’s newest editorial and event platform launching in July 2026.

As part of the partnership, Target will bring its design expertise to further enhance and elevate Time’s flagship event experiences for honorees and attendees, the retailer said in a release.

“These moments will reflect Target’s leadership in style, design and value and complement Time’s platforms that convene and recognize the world’s most impactful changemakers,” Target added.

Through the partnership, Time Studios, the award-winning film, television and branded content division of Time, will produce a dedicated digital hub on Time.com featuring branded content that highlights Target’s design activations across Time’s events. The content will have social-first distribution across Time’s platforms and include creator-led, behind-the-scenes coverage of the design process.

[READ MORE: Target plots 30-plus new openings, 130-plus remodels for 2026]

“Target is a brand that’s committed to offering great style, design and value to everyone,” said Cara Sylvester, chief merchandising officer at Target. “We're thrilled to be Time’s first official design partner in 2026. Time has its pulse on current culture, leadership and global conversations, and together we’ll create engaging moments that recognize influential people who are making a mark in culture today.”

Time’s global events have tripled in scale from 11 events in 2022 to a record 37 events in 2025, attracting more than 30,000 attendees to date across cities including Dubai, Cannes, Abu Dhabi, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and more.

Sustainable packaging is still resonating with consumers.

Nearly seven-in-10 (68%) Americans have changed how they shop to reduce plastic waste, and half (50%) of consumers choose the more sustainable-looking product when prices are equal, according to a recent survey from printing company Uprinting. 

More than three-quarters (77%) of respondents say they trust brands more when packaging appears eco-friendly, while nearly six-in-10 (57%) believe brands and manufacturers should take the lead in addressing the environmental impact of packaging.

Younger consumers are especially keen on making an impact when it comes to the products they purchase. More than half (53%) of Gen Z shoppers have actively stopped buying from brands that use excessive plastic packaging. ​​Twenty-one percent of Gen Z consumers say they "always" check for sustainability disclosures on packaging.

Overall, almost a third (32%) of those surveyed said they would be willing to pay 6–10% more for products that come in "sustainably made, well-designed" packaging.

[READ MORE: How supply chain transparency can boost sales]

“From our study, it's clear that packaging is no longer viewed as a cost to minimize, but rather as a strategic investment that can boost both brand equity and margin,” said Uprinting. “When design and sustainability align, consumers recognize and are willing to pay for the added thoughtfulness and quality.”

For its survey, Uprinting surveyed 1,000 adults across the United States via Pollfish in October 2025.

The man who played a pivotal role in turning a family-owned real estate company into one of the most dynamic mixed-use development companies in the nation has passed away.

Fifty years ago, Frank S. Benson III and his cousin Don Casto helped Columbus-based Casto widen its reach outside of the Midwest to the Southeast with such projects as Park West Village, a 100-acre mixed-use development that includes a town center district, a community center with sought-after major retail anchors, upscale casual restaurants, and 600-plus luxury residential units.

In 1928, the company played a pivotal role in the development of retail real estate when it opened The Bank Block in Columbus — the first property that featured national chains joined together in one center.

“Frank was known for his warmth, passion and genuine care. He was a joy to work with — charismatic, thoughtful and approachable,” noted an obituary released the Casto company.

Don Casto, who is still involved with the company that turns 100 years old in 2026, said that his cousin and longtime business partner will be sorely missed. 

“His leadership was defined not only by vision, but by character,” Casto said. “Those who had the privilege of working alongside him will remember him as both a remarkable colleague and a cherished friend.”