Target

Apple's Passbook virtual wallet application is being upgraded to support purchases in the retailer's stores, according to reports. The app currently allows users to store digital boarding passes, event tickets and gift cards in one place. Several companies, including Starbucks, Target and American Airlines have integrated Passbook into their customer-facing operations. Later this month, Apple stores’ point-of-sale system upgrades will allow employees to process payments via Apple gift cards loaded on the app. Future developments may include a full integration of iTunes users’ associated debit and credit cards.

Target is leaving nothing to chance this holiday season, with a strategy focused on both the emotion of gift-giving as well as competitive promotions that emphasize price. The retailer's executives unveiled at a media event Tuesday plans for aggressive promotional pricing, a heavy rotation of holiday ads in October and November, and tactics to ensure consumers can "shop with confidence," such as a price-match guarantee against a group of competitors that includes popular online retailers such as Amazon.com. The overarching theme for the holiday campaign, which is being handled by 72andSunny, is Dream Big. Save Bigger.

Target and Neiman Marcus made headlines last summer when the pair announced they would collaborate on a holiday collection. Now, they're hoping to repeat the accomplishment with an exclusive sponsorship of the Nov. 11 episode of "Revenge," ABC's popular drama. Target's Neiman Marcus collection will be the exclusive sponsor of the Nov. 11 episode of "Revenge," the midseason finale of the soapy Sunday-night series.

In the latest effort to beat Amazon.com at its game, Target says that for the first time it will match prices that consumers find on identical products at select online competitors this holiday season. Target's CEO Gregg Steinhafel told about 80 reporters at a company media conference Tuesday that the retailers include Amazon, Walmart.com, Bestbuy.com, Toysrus.com and babiesrus.com. Target's bold price match program will run from Nov. 1 through Dec. 16.

Target isn't the only retailer pairing up with a luxury brand this holiday season. Earlier this month, Barneys announced a collaboration with Disney, and Starbucks just announced its partnership with luxury powerhouse Rodarte for a line of coffee mugs and tote bags. So, my question is, is partnering with luxury brands a holiday retail stunt or could it be the future of retail?

Back in May, Target announced that it would no longer be selling the Amazon Kindle. Earlier this month, Wal-Mart followed suit. While neither big-box retailer explained exactly why they've declared war on Amazon.com's tablet, the motive is clear. Every time Target or Wal-Mart sells a Kindle, they put their brick-and-mortar stores in jeopardy by providing Amazon even greater reach in its digital retail power grab. Viewed in this context, the tandem moves are direct, sharp-shooter responses aimed directly across the bow of a major competitor.

Starting October 14, Target will feature 20 toys at the front of its aisles promoted with signs featuring QR codes. Shoppers with smartphones can scan the codes to buy any of those items and have them shipped free. "Providing this convenience for mom is about ensuring that she's able to shop the way that she wants to," said Stephanie Lucy, Target's vice president of toys and the mother of two who knows about not wanting to ruin the surprise of the holidays.

"Falling for You" is about selling stuff, more or less in real time. Whenever an item appears in the film, it simultaneously flashes on the right side of the screen, where viewers captivated by the lipstick, watch or pants-like apparatus can click on what appears to be either a heart or smudge of insect blood. At the conclusion of the film, viewers can buy everything they've hearted/blood-smudged and social-mediafy it to all their pals. I'm happy to report that the technology works seamlessly.

Welcome to this week's "Pin of the Week." This week's featured pin is an infographic titled "The Social Retail Competition" from Unmetric, a social media analytics provider. The infographic is based on a study by Unmetric that focuses on how retailers are battling it out in the social media space.

Target announced on Tuesday its most ambitious foray into so-called "branded entertainment" with a 12-minute-long film, "Falling for You," that showcased more than 100 home, beauty and fashion items the company is promoting for the fall season.