Target ranks #6 on list of "most popular stores"...

Yahoo!Finance reports that Target ranks at #6 of "America's most popular stores". How is this list calculated, you ask?  It's by how often consumers shop regularly at these stores. And according to data provided by Placed - a consumer habits data service provider that monitors behavior of more than 150,000 American consumers at 150 million locations daily - the most popular brands are primarily in the fast-food, discount retail and pharmacy segments because those are the stores that consumers visit the most often. So it makes sense, then, that half of the retailers on the list are fast-food chains. Placed founder and CEO David Shim explained that while you don’t need household supplies every day, “three times a day or more you need to eat, so there’s a higher propensity to visit these types of businesses.” And also, the lower price per transaction at fast-food chains compared to other retailers also helps them to attract consumers, Shim noted.

Here is the complete list:

1 - Walmart
2 - McDonald's
3 - Subway
4 - Starbuck's
5 - Walgreen's
6 - Target
7 - CVS
8 - Burger King
9 - Taco Bell
10 - 7-Eleven

Target partners with MasterCard on enhanced-security cards...

USA Today reports that Target will issue its branded credit and debit cards as MasterCard chip-and-pin cards starting in 2015. The retailer's REDcard portfolio includes a Target-branded debit card, credit card, and a co-branded credit card with Visa that the company stopped issuing in 2010. All three will be reissued with MasterCard's chip-and-pin technology. Shown here is a prototype of the cards.

Cards with chip-and-pin technology are considered more secure than traditional magnetic stripe cards because they are embedded with a microchip that generates a different, single-use code to process every transaction you make. That means the card data is practically impossible to counterfeit, because even if the data is hacked, it can't be used again.

The announcement comes as Target is already in the process of replacing its store registers to accept chip-and-pin cards as the company brings a renewed commitment to information security after suffering one of the largest data breaches in retail last year. Since the breach, Target sped up its adoption of the technology and has committed $100 million to the effort.

Sixty to 70 stores a week are being updated with new registers, with 12,000 total updated so far, says spokeswoman Molly Snyder, with plans to have all stores updated with the registers by September. Snyder would not elaborate on why Target didn't continue working with Visa to issue chip-and-pin cards, other than to say, "The decision was made to go with the MasterCard platform. MasterCard technology will be able to be used across all three types of cards."

Sale Alert: Threshold Coastal Collection

This week Target has Threshold's Coastal Collection of home decor on sale for 25% off. Out of all the cute items shown here, I'm most obsessed with the rope-knot doorstops, shown here on the end table in navy and tan. I can't find them online, but I have seen them in stores. I'm also fond of this nautical-inspired rope mirror (on sale this week for just $29.99).

The history of the Bullseye logo...

A Bullseye View has posted a fun little rundown of the history behind Target's telltale logo, which you can view here. The Bullseye was first revealed in 1962, streamlined in 1968, and has since evolved into one of the most recognized symbols in North America.

Shown here is the “Flair for Fashion” advertisement, one of many ads from the “Shop at Target” grand opening campaign circa 1969; I think it looks very current-season "Mad Men", don't you?

Spring Cleaning your Cosmetics Collection...

I've been on a Spring cleaning frenzy lately, and today I plan to tackle my makeup bag. While I'm usually good at pitching things past their expiration point, this primer on Sonia Kashuk's blog will help guide me on what to keep and what to toss.

And of course, whatever I toss will need to be replaced, right? I'm already planning to buy this Sonia Kashuk Twist-up Longwear Liner to replace my old black eyeliner pencil. As soon as I try it, I'll post a review, but I'm encouraged by the comment on Target's website which dubs it "The best eyeliner I've found and you don't have to sharpen it!"

Double-Take: Michael Kors vs. Merona

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from Target and match it up against a lookalike (and much pricier) designer piece. Today we have two pairs of very similar black canvas espadrille wedge sandals with cute zippers up the front. Only one pair is from Michael Kors (available from a variety of retailers, including Zappo's) and retails for $99, whereas the other is from Merona (at Target) and only costs a third of that at $29.99. Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

New at Target: Safavieh

Safavieh - the century-old home furnishings brand that started out as a luxury-rug weaver - is now doing a budget line for Target.  The offerings include furniture, rugs, pillows, lamps and home decor, and Target has broken the line into "style collections" of Young Contemporary, Classic Townhouse, Country Chic, Eclectic Sophisticate and Cottage Retreat (shown here). You can check out the entire Safavieh for Target line here on Target.com.

DIY Project: Mini Terrarium

Looking for a fun little Earth Day project? A Bullseye View suggests building your own mini terrarium (as shown here). All you need is an empty  spice jar,  a skewer,  sand, and small pebbles - all which you can get at Target - plus a small cork, craft paint to jazz up the jar lid, potting soil, live moss and/or assorted small plants.  Click here for the complete tutorial.

Target's plan to take on Amazon...

Time is reporting that Target wants the household business back that Amazon has stolen from them over the years. To that end, Target announced this week an expansion to their subscription service for parents, allowing customers to order diapers and other baby goods on a recurring basis—always with free shipping and often with significant discounts. The new service is viewed as a blatant counteroffensive against Amazon, which has a long history of targeting The Bullseye and other brick-and-mortar-based retailers by undercutting them on price via their popular Subscribe and Save program that grants discounts on pre-scheduled goods purchased.

Target's new Subscriptions service allows customers to choose from more than 1,500 products to order on a recurring basis, and the demographic goes way beyond parents with young kids. Now, all sorts of household staples - from cleaning supplies to printer ink, pet treats to laundry detergent - can be purchased via Target Subscriptions.

Besides saving themselves a trip to the store, Target subscribers get free shipping on deliveries and returns. And they also get discounts—a flat 5% off on all Subscription orders, plus another 5% off if payment is made via a Target card.

Double-Take: One Kings Lane vs. Target

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from Target and match it up against a lookalike (albeit pricier) designer piece. This installment is courtesy of eagle-eyed reader Sarah, who brought to my attention these two metal bar stool sets in cool-as-a-cucumber green. Only difference is that one pair is from One Kings Lane and costs $129 a pair (on sale, down from $250) and the other pair is from The Bullseye and only costs $95. Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

Greedy shopper sues Target...

Remember this story from a couple years ago? About a couple in Miami (shown here) who bought out the entire stock of Jason Wu for Target apparel at their local store? The duo was were vilified in the media, leading Target to establish buying limits for its future designer collaborations.

Now Racked.com reports that the male half of the duo - named "DJ Midas" - is suing Target over the incident, alleging that he suffered at the hands of the fellow shoppers he screwed during the Wu launch. "One customer allegedly slammed him in the legs with her cart as her similarly aggrieved husband said he was going to 'kick his ass," reports the Miami New Times. DJ Midas cites "emotional distress," "negligence" and, for some reason, "false imprisonment" as the reason for his legal action. Target has not yet commented on the lawsuit.

New at Target: Sugarboo Designs

You’ve probably seen the lyrical and whimsical signs by Sugarboo Designs on the internet and in pricey boutique shops. Normally, they cost between $150 - $300. But now Sugarboo is doing a budget line for Target, with prices ranging from just $14.99 (like this "Life is Beauty Full" sign, shown here) to $29.99.

You can check out the full line of Sugarboo Designs for Target here on Target.com. In stores, look for a special endcap in the home decor aisle. Right now Target only seems to carry about a dozen Sugarboo items, but hopefully there will be more offerings from them soon.

Target introduces "Made to Matter"...

Today on their blog Target announced the launch of Made to Matter: a first-of-its-kind partnership and collection from 17 leading natural, organic and sustainable brands. The new Made to Matter collection will feature over 120 new and exclusive products from this crew of trusted companies, taking the guesswork out of buying better-for-you products. Hand-picked by Target, the line makes it easy to find products made with simple, recognizable ingredients that you can feel good about bringing home without sacrificing on price or performance.

Spanning categories including baby, beauty, grocery, healthcare and household products, Made to Matter brands include Annie’s Homegrown, Burt’s Bees, Chobani, Clif Bar & Company, Ella’s Kitchen, EVOL, Horizon Organic, Hyland’s, Kashi, method, Plum Organics, Seventh Generation, SheaMoisture, Target’s Simply Balanced, Vita Coco, Yes To and Zarbee’s Naturals.

First introduced at the end of March, new Made to Matter products will be added throughout spring and summer, with the complete collection available by this September. Products will be available throughout the store, both in the products’ usual aisles and as part of specialized collection displays.

Double-Take: Aeropostale vs. Mossimo

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from The Bullseye and match it up against a similar - yet pricier - brand name piece. Today we're looking at two super-cute junior denim shorts, both in faded denim with white crochet trim on the front. Only one pair is from Aeropostale (available on Buy.com) and at $30.99 is 1/3 more than the other pair which is from Mossimo (at Target, for only $19.99). Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

New at Target: Devine Color Paint & Wallpaper

Like the look of this gold-stenciled wall, but think it'd be too hard to pull off? Then head over to Target to see how simple a stunning look like this can be. With their new Divine line of premium pre-mixed paint, stylish stencils, and self-adhesive wallpapers, it's easy to create designer looks for walls, furniture, and decor.

You can check out the entire Devine Color Paint & Wallpaper collection here on Target.com. You can also watch this Target TV spot  for more design inspiration using Devine products.

Double-Take: Adesso vs. Threshold

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from Tar-jay and match it up against a similar - yet pricier - designer piece. Today we're eyeing two jumbo architect-style floor lamps. But one of these industrial-inspired lamps is from Adesso (via Houzz) and will set you back $330, whereas the other is from Threshold (at Target) and only costs $99.99. Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

Peter Pilotto marked down to 70% off in stores...

A month ago the Peter Pilotto for Target collection went on sale in stores for 30% off. But it seems to be lingering on the clearance racks, because now it's been marked down further to 70% off.

One item there still seems to be plenty of - at least at my local store - is this Red Floral Belted Dress, which is now just $13.48 (regularly $44.99). I also saw many of the Floral Pants and the Rash Guards leftover. On a whim I tried on the Floral Stripe Top (marked down to around $8) but found it too boxy and unflattering. That makes Peter Pilotto the first designer collab I haven't bought at least one item from in a long time. Hmmm... I take that back. I just realized that I didn't buy anything from the Kate Young or Prabal Gurung collections from last year, either.

Meanwhile online, Peter Pilotto is still marked 30% off, but you can get an extra 10% off with Target's "buy 2, get 10% off" offer.

Missing Michael Graves? Head over to JCP...

Last May I informed you that Target designer Michael Graves had ended his long-running partnership with The Bullseye and was heading over to rival JCP. Well I just checked out his goods on JC Penney's website, and some of them are really cool. Even better: many of them are currently on sale, like this neat little business card holder (which is on clearance for just $7.99, down from $29).

Fab Find: Room Essentials Cork Lamp

Thanks to being able to accompany the hubby on a business trip, I just came back from a little Palm Springs getaway. For those not familiar with the area, it's where "mid-century modern" style rules. Just think of Mad Men. Which is why this little cork desk lamp caught my eye: looking vaguely Danish in style, I could see it easily fitting into any decor - be it mid-century modern or otherwise. Best of all, this lamp by Room Essentials (at Target) already looks more expensive (with it's natural cork lampshade) than its $19.99 price tag... but I was able to nab it on clearance in store for just $8.08!