Top Retailers

MINNEAPOLIS — Target reported a 7% same-store sales increase in February that shattered the company’s guidance for a 4% gain, thanks to unseasonably warm weather, which boosted shopper traffic and transaction sizes.

The sales increases was well above the company’s expectations, which prompted chairman, president and CEO Gregg Steinhafel to say, “We’re very pleased with the pace of our sales since the holiday season, though we continue to plan for a first quarter comparable-store sales increase of around 4%.”

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco is off to a good start in 2012, with high increases in second-quarter sales and earnings.

The company reported that net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 increased 10% to $22.5 billion, from $20.5 billion last year. Total comparable-store sales for the quarter increased 8%, consisting of an 8% increase at both U.S. and international clubs. Excluding the impact of fuel, comparable-store sales were up 7%, consisting of a 7% increase at U.S. clubs and a 10% increase at international clubs.

WOONSOCKET, R.I., and NEW YORK  — Accordant Health Services, a CVS Caremark company, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research on Wednesday announced a collaboration to provide to patients with Parkinson's disease who are enrolled in Accordant-sponsored care management programs information about resources available through the foundation.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Supervalu announced the launch of a custom-built mobile application designed to give customers the tools they need to be efficient while shopping at its stores.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is teaming up with a new technology vendor for dispensing drugs under a special federal discount program, the company said Tuesday.

Rite Aid announced that it had selected CaptureRx as its preferred vendor and administrator in dispensing drugs under 340B, a Federal Public Health Service program that allows health centers and hospitals to purchase outpatient drugs for less than half of their cost on the commercial market.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — After stepping into the role on an interim basis, Safeway has named Brian Baer president of its Dominick's Finer Foods banner.

Baer, who has served as acting president of Dominick's since July 2011 after the exit of Don Keprta, has been part of Dominick's parent Safeway since 2001. Prior to his role as president, Baer served as Dominick's CFO and VP finance.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Two Feeding America food banks and a Macomb County, Mich., resident were named winners of Meijer's "Get Gifted" online holiday contest.

The retailer said it donated $10,000 to Gleaners Community Food Bank and Forgotten Harvest last week and named Vickie Spokes its grand prize winner of $10,000 in Meijer gift cards.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Fast Company has called out Walgreens as one of the world's most innovative companies in the magazine's "Fast 50" issue.

The publication named Walgreens one of the healthcare industry's most innovative companies for the second time in three years, due to its leadership and healthcare services, including the chain's Well Experience format, addressing the need for greater access to healthy foods in underserved communities, as well as plans to become the nation's leading retail host of electric vehicle charging stations.