Target launches Smartly brand of home products

Target has another new brand, this time for inexpensive household essentials such as hand soap, cleaners and razors.

Smartly items will range in price from 59 cents to $11.99, with most under $2. They will be available starting Sunday.

Target has launched more than 20 brands in the past few years.

"The introduction of Smartly is another example of how we are listening to consumers and bringing them solutions to make their lives easier," said Mark Tritton, chief merchandising officer, in a statement.

Tritton told the Wall Street Journal that Smartly products also will be sold in small quantities, such as a single paper towel roll, and aimed at Gen-Z and millennial shoppers such as college students and 20-somethings.

In that way, the brand is not meant to replace household names such as Tide. But research has shown that younger consumers are not as loyal to brands.

Target said it has not skimped on the development process even if the items are inexpensive. For example, designers worked with master perfumers to develop fragrances such as Rain Shower and Lavender for liquid hand soaps and Ocean and Citrus Grove for cleaners.

Stroke of the Heart, a 35-year-old Twin Cities-based company, is having its last warehouse sale Oct. 17-20.

It is closing its doors due to the owner's retirement and declining sales of greeting cards.

"It's a hard business to be in as more people use social media and e-mailing to stay in contact," said Kristin Noraker, chief operating officer.

The company's main lines of cards have been sympathy, serious illness, get well, encouragement and pet loss. Many of those card themes, all designed and made in Minnesota, were inspired by Noraker's mom, Kevyn Riley, the founder and co-owner. Riley is a registered nurse and a cancer survivor.

The sale, larger than previous ones, will include mostly cards and not as many ancillary products such as kitchen magnets. All greeting cards will be 50 cents. The sale is at a new location at 10136 W. 76th St., Eden Prairie, 952-945-9495. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Oct. 17-18, noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 19, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 20.

Pottery Barn will have its warehouse sale through Sunday. All merchandise will be 50 to 75 percent off, including furniture, rugs, bedding, pillow covers, botanicals and seasonal merchandise. All items, including furniture, must be picked up on the day of purchase.

The sale is in a space next to Pottery Barn at Arbor Lakes, which is at Interstate 94 and Hemlock Lane in Maple Grove. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Williams-Sonoma, part of the same company as Pottery Barn, has a similar sale with new markdowns and closeouts. It's being held in space B18, near the Williams-Sonoma store and has the same hours as the Pottery Barn sale.

JOHN EWOLDT

Catherine Roberts • 612-673-4292