TARGET

MINNEAPOLIS — The chief executive of Target is reaching out to consumers in the wake of the widespread hacking of credit and debit card data at Target stores that the company confirmed last week.

In a statement on the mass-merchandise retailer's website, president, chairman and CEO Gregg Steinhafel sought to ameliorate customers' worries about the possibility that their cards were compromised. He emphasized that the issue had been "identified and eliminated," while the retailer extended a 10% discount to customers who shopped at its stores on Saturday and Sunday.

MINNEAPOLIS — About 40 million credit and debit card accounts of Target customers were compromised between late November and the middle of this month, the mass merchandise retailer said Thursday.

Target confirmed earlier reports from the online security blog Krebs on Security that the company experienced a breach affecting nearly all of its stores. The breach was initially thought to have started the day before Thanksgiving and ended on Dec. 6, but investigators later found that it had lasted until Sunday.

MINNEAPOLIS — As consumers are reaching the final days to squeeze in their holiday shopping, Target has announced some last-minute deals.

Guests using Cartwheel, the retailer's unique savings program, can take advantage of a one-day sale on Dec. 19 when around 40 great gift items — ranging from toys to cookware — will have special offers with discounts ranging from 10% to 60% off. Cartwheel has gained more than 1 million new users this season alone, putting the number of guests signed up for the program at 4 million.

NEW YORK — Target has introduced a section of its website that features products popular on Pinterest.

The Target Awesome Shop includes products from several lines, including beauty, each of which is among those most-pinned on Pinterest in the last few days, but only if they have at least a four-star guest review.

The website is currently in beta testing and was put together "in a matter of a few weeks" by Target's Rapid Accelerated Development team, a small group of digital experts working for the company.

NEW YORK — The Environmental Protection Agency has recognized Target for its efforts to reduce its carbon emissions, the agency said.

According to the EPA, Target's technology center engineering team singlehandedly reduced the company's carbon emissions by 18,000 tons since 2006 and is committed to having 75% of Target buildings certified by the agency's Energy Star program by 2016.

NEW YORK — The 15th annual Industry Issues Summit, presented by The Drug Store News Group on Dec. 3, proved to be a powerful, all-star lineup as some of the top minds in pharmacy retailing gathered for a candid discussion of the top issues and trends impacting the industry. On top of that, brand-building genius and TV celebrity Daymond John of ABC’s “Shark Tank” delivered an exclusive lunchtime keynote.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Canada's Thanksgiving happened last month, and its major day of frenzied holiday shopping traditionally happens on Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, but Black Friday shopping has been making waves up there in recent years as well.

Target said it would be "pulling out all the stops" to offer customers at its Canadian stores deals for the holiday, opening stores at 7 a.m. and closing at 11 p.m., offering discounts on products like high-definition televisions, digital cameras, clothing and accessories, toys and kitchen appliances.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. has donated $50,000 to assist in relief efforts in the Midwest following a devastating tornado outbreak there earlier this month.

The mass-merchandise retailer's donation includes $45,000 in cash to the American Red Cross and $5,000 to non-profit organizations for relief efforts in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Missouri. In addition, all Target stores in affected areas will remain open.