TARGET

MINNEAPOLIS — Target merchandising executive Casey Carl was given added responsibilities for the retailer’s online businesses, following a series of snafus related to an August relaunch that resulted in the departure of former online president Steve Eastman.

Carl will serve as president of multichannel with responsibility for Target’s digital platforms including mobile, social and Target.com, while retaining his prior responsibilities as SVP merchandising for entertainment, toys, sporting goods and electronics.

NEW YORK — Target is selling off the pharmacy business of the Zellers stores it bought as part of an effort to expand into Canada and start over, according to published reports.

Toronto-based newspaper The Globe & Mail reported that Target would sell Zellers' scripts to other retailers as it prepared to close the stores down for remodeling. The company plans to re-open them as Target stores, with pharmacies, in 2013. Industry observers value Zellers' pharmacy business at about C$500 million, according to the newspaper.

MINNEAPOLIS — Profits at Target grew 10.2% to 82 cents in the third quarter, compared with 74 cents the prior year, thanks to healthy sales growth and ongoing improvement in the company’s credit card business.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target is bringing its smaller-format store to the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

The 98,000-sq.-ft. CityTarget, which will be located in Westwood, Calif., will open in July 2012. It is the second store of its kind confirmed in the area, with the first being open in October 2012 in downtown Los Angeles.

Target currently has 58 other stores in Los Angeles.

NEW YORK — American Express has announced the launch of the American Express for Target card, a reloadable prepaid card with no monthly or maintenance fees, available exclusively at more than 1,000 U.S. Target stores.

CHICAGO — Valoramas on Monday announced the launch of an online bilingual membership club for Latinos in the United States at Valoramas.com.

MELVILLE, N.Y. — Hain Celestial Group’s Avalon Organics skin care brand, which is sold at such retailers as Whole Foods, Target, Walmart and drug stores, has transitioned its line of personal care products to the NSF/ANSI 305 Standard for Personal Care Products Containing Organic Ingredients. With this transition, Avalon Organics also has revamped its Vitamin C Renewal, Lavender Luminosity, CoQ10 Repair and Essential Lift skin care lines.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target shoppers have a new incentive for joining the retailer's REDcard Rewards loyalty program: free shipping on Target.com.

What's more, Target debit cards now can be used on Target.com, the company said.