JCPenney Co.

Dallas -- X Team International, an international alliance of retail real estate advisors, said Tuesday that Venture Commercial, through its Venturetainment division, assisted with site-selection efforts and completed two leases for global visitor attraction operator Merlin Entertainments Group to bring two of its iconic attraction brands to the Texas market for the first time.

Corpus Christi, Texas -- La Palmera shopping center, located in Corpus Christi, Texas, said it has launched a new smart phone application designed for all smart phone platforms, including Android, Blackberry and iPhone.

The new app, in development since September 2010, officially launched with a La Palmera Facebook posting to its 6,600 fans.

Target took the 21st spot out of a list of 46 retailers ranked for their customer service. Zappos.com took the top spot followed by Amazon.com and LL Bean. Walmart was ranked 27.

Other retailers in the top ten include Overstock.com (4), JCPenney (6) and Kohl's (7).

Cleveland -- Forest City Commercial Management announced the appointment of Kym Espinosa as marketing director for Promenade Temecula, a regional lifestyle center in Temecula, Calif.

Espinosa, who has more than 20 years of experience in the shopping center industry, is responsible for marketing program strategy and implementation for the 1.1 million-sq.-ft. retail center.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group said Wednesday that, effective Feb. 1, it will assume leasing, management and marketing duties at The Shops at Montebello, a Los Angeles-area shopping center.

The Shops at Montebello is a regional enclosed mall built in 1985 with approximately 758,000 sq. ft. The center is home to over 160 retailers and is anchored by Macy's, Macy's Home, J.C. Penney and Forever 21.

Boynton Beach, Fla. -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group said that Darren Shepherd has been named general manager of its Boynton Beach Mall property.

In his new position, Shepherd will be responsible for overseeing operations, customer relations, retail development and security for the mall.

Activist investor and hedge fund executive Bill Ackman has accomplished at J.C. Penney what he was unable to do at Target. He secured a seat on the department store retailer’s board after purchasing a bunch of shares and will now be able to push for strategies to increase shareholder value. Joining Ackman on the J.C. Penney board is another large shareholder, Steven Roth, chairman of Vornado Realty Trust.

Dallas -- J.C. Penney on Monday unveiled a restructuring plan, which includes close five department stores and one home store, because they are no longer profitable enough. The retailer named William Ackman to its board after the activist investor became its biggest shareholder