Discounter Kmart Corp. is touting more exclusive brands and stepping up its mobile marketing efforts to win over cautious U.S. shoppers in what’s shaping up to be a highly competitive back-to-school season.

The unit of Sears Holdings Corp., sporting everything from embellished jeans to candy-colored staplers this season, will offer several new exclusive brands, including apparel lines “Dream Out Loud with Selena Gomez,” “Bongo” and “Rebecca Bonbon” as it takes on rivals like Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Target Corp. Get the full story »