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J.C. Penney certainly doesn't have the dedicated following that Apple does, but it's hoping that new CEO Ron Johnson will be able to bring the innovative strategy he used to develop Apple's retail stores — including concepts like the Genius Bars — to the department chain.

Minneapolis -- Target announced it will open a CityTarget store in the Westwood Market Place, Westwood, Calif., in July 2012. The 98,000- sq.-ft. store will occupy a space that formerly housed Home Depot Expo. The Westwood location is the second CityTarget store confirmed in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Target previously announced that it would open a small-format, urban store at Figueroa and 7th in downtown Los Angeles in October 2012. In addition to the two Los Angeles area CityTarget stores, Target will open small-format stores in Chicago, Seattle and San Francisco in 2012.

NEW YORK — American Express has announced the launch of the American Express for Target card, a reloadable prepaid card with no monthly or maintenance fees, available exclusively at more than 1,000 U.S. Target stores. “We’re excited to partner with Target to provide consumers with a safe and secure everyday payment tool. This prepaid reloadable card is loaded with benefits synonymous with American Express such as roadside assistance, purchase protection, and global assist,” said Stefan Happ, SVP and general manager of American Express’ global payment options. “In addition, it delivers premium value to consumers, with no fees for monthly

German sport lifestyle brand PUMA is planning to build on the success of its eco-friendly sustainable packaging and recycled shoes by producing clothes and trainers that are compostable.

Calling assortment planning "probably the biggest initiative we have in the next two years," Kohl's CEO Kevin Mansell revealed during a recent conference call that the department store retailer would be rolling out a new assortment planning tool with "our technology partner SAS. "We've talked at length about the need to improve how we tailor our merchandise more appropriately by market so that it's on target to the customer that lives in that market," he added. "A lot of that has to do with having the right tools for our merchants and planners to use so that job becomes

Skechers is bracing for a potential multimillion dollar settlement with the Federal Trade Commission regarding advertising of its Shape-Ups toning footwear. In its quarterly filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the footwear company acknowledged that the toning category, including Shape-Ups, have come under significant scrutiny.

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla., Nov. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With Black Friday reserved as the most popular holiday shopping day for consumer products, the sporting goods industry now has a day for one of its leading holiday shopping categories: golf equipment. Today, Edwin Watts Golf Shops, LLC, one of the world's largest specialty golf retailers, announced that Friday, November 18th, will become Golf's "Green Friday," creating an unmatched shopping experience at more than 90 retail locations, and online at www.edwinwattsgolf.com. ( Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111115/NY07269LOGO ) Sponsored by: To kick-off the golf holiday buying season, Golf's "Green Friday," will begin on

Wal-Mart competes with almost everyone in retail, but increasingly suppliers see the giant focused on a new and, to some, surprising rival: Amazon. Wal-Mart could use a bigger dose of what gave Amazon 44 percent top-line growth last quarter.

Pittsburgh -- Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 29 surged to $41.5 million, from $16.9 million in the year-ago period. Revenue rose 9% to $1.18 billion from $1.08 billion, beating Wall Street’s anticipated $1.16 billion in revenue. Same-store sales rose 4.1%. During the quarter, the retailer opened 19 Dick’s Sporting Goods stores; for the full year it opened 36 new Dick’s, remodeled 14 Dick’s and relocated one Golf Galaxy store, completing its 2011 store development program.

Getting a jump on other retailers, Toys"R"Us is throwing open its doors at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving night. The toy retailer said it would issue its Thanksgiving weekend circular on Nov. 24, offering more than 100 deals on 28 pages in newspapers across the country.