TARGET

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. posted sales of $17.3 billion in third-quarter 2013, a 4% increase over the same period last year, and a $341 million profit, down by 46.4% from a year ago, the mass merchandise retailer said Thursday.

The results from the quarter reflected a earnings-per-share dilution of 29 cents related to the chain's new Canadian segment. Same-store sales in the U.S. segment grew by 0.9%, near the low end of the company's fiscal 2013 guidance, while total sales were $16.9 billion, up 2% from third-quarter 2012's $16.6 billion.

NEW YORK — A bill that would implement federal tracking and tracing of drugs and strengthen federal regulations on pharmacy compounding has passed in the Senate and will go to President Barack Obama for his signature.

Red hot Pinterest is offering new functunality to third parties that will allow them to curate content and drive traffic to their sites, and major retailers such as Walmart, Target and Zappos are all over it.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. is donating $100,000 to relief efforts in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan, the mass merchandise retailer said.

Target said it would make the donation to Save the Children, which is working in affected areas to provide support.

"We are deeply saddened by the devastation in the Philippines," Target president and CEO Gregg Steinhafel said. "We hope our donation to Save the Children will provide critical resources and relief to children and families in the Philippines as they recover from Typhoon Haiyan."

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has expanded its Beauty Concierge program in three metropolitan areas across the country, the mass-merchandise retailer said Wednesday.

The company said it implemented the program at 95 stores in New York and New Jersey, the San Francisco Bay Area and Dallas-Fort Worth. Stores are staffed with a beauty concierge, a specially trained, brand-agnostic assistant who answers customers' questions in the store and provides personalized, detailed and unbiased information about beauty and personal care products.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target will make use of its omnichannel offerings for Black Friday, the mass-merchandise retailer said Monday.

Target, whose stores will open on Thanksgiving day at 8 p.m., will offer sales in stores and on its website, as well as through the Cartwheel mobile app.

Simplicity plus connectedness equals engagement. That secret recipe is at the heart of Target’s strategy, touching and shaping every aspect of its business, including health care.

Target is working to create a simpler healthcare experience for its guests.

CHICAGO — Target will play host to a new series of educational events sponsored by Bump Club and Beyond, an event company focused on educating mothers and expectant mothers.