Target intensifies Canadian brand building efforts Target is working its way across Canada beginning this week by hosting special events in 20 cities to build interest in the planned opening of 124 stores in 2013. The company said Canadians should be on the lookout for signs of the retailer’s signature Bullseye logo to see if Target is coming to town with artistic performances and other surprises. The company is leveraging Facebook and Twitter by enabling prospective customers to follow the tour progress, schedule and view a digital scrapbook at Facebook.com/TargetCanada or Twitter.com/Target_CA. (Source retailingtoday.com)

Canadian Tire cuts senior jobs to reduce cost ahead of increased competition - in other words due to the U.S. Target invasion, Canadian Tire is cutting senior management jobs as it works to reduce costs to cope with what it expects to be an even more competitive retail landscape in Canada. The company, which also announced a sports company acquisition Wednesday, says at least five executives will be leaving the ranks for various reasons. Though it did not mention the competition by name, many Canadian retailers are gearing up to deal with the presence of U.S. retail giant Target Corp. and the potential that could eat into their sales when it arrives in spring of 2013. (Source edmontonjournal.com)