Target

Whether or not you think the billions invested in saving the financial industry was worth the cost, the banks were saved. And at least one of those bailouts actually turned a big profit.

The stock market's recent bounce has a lot of folks looking for a piece of the action. And with retail stocks shooting up faster than average, but still cheaper than a year ago, some analysts say now's the time to buy them. They're wrong. Here's why:

J.C. Penney's new CEO plans to remake the tired old department store chain a la the Apple Store and Target, and his fresh ideas are earning him applause. But as investors and industry watchers cheer Ron Johnson's turnaround concepts, they're ignoring some big potholes on the road ahead.

This is the time of year when retailers can't seem to move product out of their stores fast enough, but now Walmart and Target are scrambling to get some of their merchandise back: Potentially tainted infant formula and a children's travel case that definitely has too much lead in its paint.

Retailers are finding ways to put a fresh spin on the classic limited-time sale this holiday season. Target's latest effort -- the Almost Last Minute Sale. From Dec. 8 to Dec. 11, it will offer discounts on items from its most popular gift categories in stores and online.

For years, Walmart has been out to prove it could provide some substance for stylish wardrobes, but shoppers didn't buy the idea of fashion from the retail giant. No shock, its high hopes to emulate Target's "cheap chic" reputation have failed: Walmart's shutting down its Manhattan apparel office.

Setting a new holiday shopping tradition, Macy's and Target will swing open their doors at midnight on Black Friday for the first time ever, giving shoppers a jump start on door-buster sales while offering an implicit challenge to their fellow retail brethren to follow suit.

Two of the men most responsible for making Target a cool, hip shopping option will soon be leading J.C. Penney's, which means bold changes could be coming for the middle-of-the-road department store chain. Can Ron Johnson and Michael Francis help it shake its stodgy image?

Discount retailer Target confirmed Monday that its next high fashion collaborator would be Jason Wu, the Taiwanese-American designer, beloved by everyone from first lady Michelle Obama to famed drag-queen RuPaul.

Target is getting a head start on the biggest online shopping day of the year. The cheap-chic discounter sent out an email blast on Sept. 26 touting "Cyber Monday in September." "Lucky You. These Cyber Monday deals couldn't wait until November. Better hurry," coos Target.com.