TARGET

NEW YORK — Target plans to spend more than it had forecast this year on its entry into the Canadian market as it nails down more of the best retail locations sooner than expected.

The retailer said it will be able to “clarify” within weeks the number and locations of the first 100 to 150 stores it will open in Canada.

“We expect to close on higher value lease transactions sooner than expected,” Target CFO Doug Scovanner told analysts on a conference call Wednesday.

NEW YORK — To better connect with today's beauty consumers, mass market retailers should consider implementing a multisensory playground or a "BeautySphere," engaging them with a calendar of in-store pop-up activities and implementing a "roving endcap" as a cost-effective way to execute new ideas and highlight new products. Those were just some of the ideas that emerged Thursday evening during the Fashion Institute of Technology Class of 2011 Capstone presentations and graduation reception in New York.

OBERLIN, Ohio — Walmart and Target are the top go-to shopping destinations for college students, according to a new study.

MINNEAPOLIS — First-quarter sales at Target increased 2.8% to $15.6 billion, and same-store sales increased 2%, the company reported.

The modest sales growth translated into earnings per share that advance 9.8% to 99 cents, 4 cents better than analysts’ consensus estimate of 95 cents, and net income that increased 2.7% to $689 million. Share repurchase activity contributed to the earnings-per-share growth as Target spent $819 million during the first quarter to buy back 15.4 million shares at an average price of $53.32.

NEW YORK — Target is setting up three distribution centers in Canada in preparation for its debut north of the border, according to a report in The Globe and Mail.

Although the retailer could have supplied the stores from its U.S. warehouses, it chose to set up a network specifically for its Canadian operations, the report said, with DCs planned for Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.

MINNEAPOLIS — The 13.1% increase in same-store sales Target reported for April was toward the low end of the company’s projection of an increase in the mid-teens, and begs the question whether Walmart’s mid-month launch of a new marketing campaign contributed to the weakness.

NEW YORK — In the wake of the tornadoes and flooding that struck many southeastern states, several leading chains have stepped up to offer support for communities impacted by the tragedy, including CVS, Rite Aid, Walmart, <a target="_blank" href="http://drugs

MINNEAPOLIS — Target announced that it has donated $200,000 in cash to the American Red Cross to support tornado relief efforts in the Southern United States.

An additional donation of more than $75,000 will include product and relief kits containing hygiene and food items that will be distributed to hardest-hit areas.