JCPenney Co.

Newington, N.H. -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group said it will assume leasing, management and marketing duties of the Fox Run Mall, located in Newington, N.H., effective May 15.

The enclosed regional shopping center, built in February 1983, is anchored by Macy’s, J.C. Penney and Sears. Other tenants include Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Express, Loft, Limited, Men’s Wearhouse, American Eagle Outfitters and Victoria’s Secret.

The center totals 604,000 sq. ft. and is situated on nearly 70 acres.

Plano, Texas -- J. C. Penney Corp. has completed a new five-year $1.25 billion bank credit facility.

The new facility replaces a $750 million credit facility that was scheduled to mature in April 2012 and provides further strength to the company's liquidity position. The facility may be used for general corporate purposes and will mature in April 2016.
 

J.C. Penney has taken the wraps off its new retail concept, The Foundry Big & Tall Supply Co., opening the first location in Dallas. With the  first 10 stores due to open in the Dallas and Kansas City, Mo., markets by the end of May, J.C. Penney plans to expand concept nationwide to 100 stores by 2013, reaching a total of 300 stores over the next five years.

Averaging 5,000-sq.-ft., The Foundry offers a hip, unpretentious environment with flat-screen TVs tuned to sports, an oversized poker table and comfortable seating.

Plano, Texas -- The Foundry Big & Tall Supply Co., a new specialty retail concept for big and tall men from J.C. Penney, on Thursday made its retail debut in the Dallas area. Approximately 10 stores are expected to open in the Dallas and Kansas City, Mo., markets by the end of May. The company plans to expand the concept nationwide to 100 stores by 2013, reaching a total of 300 stores over the next five years.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced that it will assume leasing, management, and marketing duties of the Fox Run Mall in Newington, N.H. Simon will commence this new role at Fox Run on May 15.

New York City -- The high price of cotton is one of the biggest challenges that J.C. Penney Co. faces this year, chairman and CEO Mike Ullman said during a panel discussion at Southern Methodist University, the Dallas Business Journal reported.

Cotton prices in March hit their highest levels in decades after floods in Australia and Pakistan and freezes in China wiped out farmers' crops. That means consumers will see rising clothing prices for the first time in more than 20 years, Ullman said, who predicted increases of 5% to 20%.

Troy, Mich. -- Oakland Mall is using social networking as a tool to get shoppers involved this Mother's Day to benefit Moms at Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), a non-profit agency dedicated to assisting the homeless and getting them back on their feet.

Boynton Beach, Fla. -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group announced that Stardust Arcade, an adult penny redemption arcade, has opened at Boynton Beach Mall, in Boynton Beach, Fla.

The 10,000-sq.-ft. space features 150 machines within a Las Vegas-style setting showcasing faux Roman columns, marble details and hand-painted Greek themed murals created by Florida Atlantic University’s Arts Professor Jim Crane and his fine art students.

New York City -- Showing that luxury is experiencing measurable bounce in the recovering economy, the higher-end department stores led the same-store sales pack in March.

Saks outperformed the rest of the category, recording an 11.1% same-store sales increase during the month. Total sales rose 9.2% to $260.2 million, compared with $238.2 million in the year-ago period.

Bismarck, N.D. -- Chicago-based Jones Lang LaSalle announced that it has been named as the new property and leasing manager for Kirkwood Mall, an 845,000-sq.-ft. enclosed mall in Bismarck, N.D., by an affiliate of Radiant Partners that recently purchased the mall from Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.

Kirkwood Mall was built in 1970 and contains 80 shops, anchored by Herberger’s, I. Keating Furniture World, J.C. Penney, Scheels and Target.