Top Retailers

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.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy is helping its shoppers save money on gas this summer with a new program that enables customers to earn free gas by purchasing select items at its stores nationwide.

With gas prices reaching $4 per gallon nationally, CVS/pharmacy is offering members of its ExtraCare Rewards program the ability to earn one $10 gift card to Exxon/Mobil, Shell, BP Amoco or BP Arco every week by spending $30 on specially marked items found in the weekly CVS/pharmacy circular. The program runs from May 22 to Aug. 28.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway and its charitable arm, the Safeway Foundation, announced that its fundraising efforts to benefit such organizations as Easter Seals, Special Olympics and others garnered $10.4 million.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart reported first-quarter earnings that were above the company's guidance, reflecting stability and strength in global operations, according to company president and CEO Mike Duke.

Walmart's net income was $3.4 billion, or 98 cents per diluted share, compared with net income of $3.3 billion, or 87 cents per diluted share.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Supermarket chain Publix has confirmed the termination of the lease arrangements with The Little Clinic within select store locations in Florida and Georgia.

The move marks the end of Publix’s five-year partnership with The Little Clinic, which is part of Solera Capital’s portfolio. Solera Capital had acquired The Little Clinic’s predecessor in 2005.

In 2010, private investment fund Solera Capital sold the remainder of its Little Clinic business to Kroger. Those Kroger-owned Little Clinic locations are not closing.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark's MinuteClinic is looking to make it easier and more affordable for campers to get the physicals they need in order to participate in activities by offering discounts on camp and sports physicals through July 31.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Royal Ahold banner Giant-Carlisle sponsored its first Childhood Obesity Summit Tuesday, according to an announcement by the chain.

The summit, which took place in Willow Grove, Pa., included local experts, such as physicians, in-store nutritionists from Giant and others.

SAN FRANCISCO — Walgreens is test-marketing healthier-for-you foods similar to the “food desert” pilot in Chicago across 30 area stores here, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday.

An Outer Richmond location began stocking fresh food and just-in-time meals last week, the paper reported, and the pilot program will roll out to the remaining stores over the course of the summer.