Strategy

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. announced Thursday that it has launched a Growth Brands Division, created to pursue what the retailer sees as high-potential opportunities in the retail space, including both digital initiatives and retail store opportunities.

Shanghai, China -- Gap announced late Wednesday that its first four wholly owned Gap stores have debuted in China, along with the launch of its online retailer store gap.cn.

Each store will house all Gap collections: Gap, GapKids, Baby Gap and Gap Body.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl's Corp. reported late Wednesday it earned $194 million in the quarter ended Oct. 30, compared with nearly identical net income of $193 million in the year-ago period. The retailer cited rising costs for the flat profit performance.

Revenue rose 4.2% to $4.22 billion, just missing Wall Street expectations of $4.3 billion.

Montvale, N.J. -- Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. said late Tuesday it will sell six Pathmark stores for $89.8 million. The company said it has entered into an agreement with Winstanley Enterprises LLC, which will acquire six Pathmark stores in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

CEO Sam Martin said the deal is part of the company's turnaround strategy. Last month, after announcing its second-quarter loss had doubled from a year earlier, the company said its turnaround plan, including cutting costs, would help improve business.