JCPenney Co.

New York -- Xcel Brands Inc., a brand management and development company, has appointed a veteran marketing executive of Target to the Xcel board of directors.

Francis is currently the chief global brand officer for DreamWorks Animation SKG. Prior to joining DreamWorks he was the founder and CEO of Farview Associates, a brand development agency focused on the creation of new brands and the support of established global brands.

New York -- Brand agency CBX has hired Andy Austin, who oversaw tech rollouts at 2,200 AT&T stores nationwide, as its new group director of experience technology.

Indianapolis – Simon plans to expand several marquee properties in the U.S., investing approximately $1 billion annually to enhance its assets. The Mills at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, New Jersey, will submit plans for a major expansion, adding approximately 411,000-sq.-ft. of new outlet brands, dining and entertainment to its footprint of more than 200 stores and 1.3 million-sq.-ft.

JCPenney Company cited strong financial results in the first quarter as the impetus for going on the offensive to gain back share and becoming the “preferred shopping choice for Middle America.”

JCPenney reported net sales of $2.86 billion compared to $2.80 billion in the first quarter of 2014. Same store sales increased 3.4% for the period. 

The company has made inroads in recent quarters on its turnaround, and the company may finally be making progress on reconnecting with its core customers. 

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. topped analysts estimates for the first quarter, reporting a smaller-than-expected loss. Declaring its intent to become the “preferred shopping choice for middle America” and gain back market share, the company also raised its outlook for the year.

Penney posted a loss of $167 million in the quarter ended May 2, compared with a net loss of $352 million in the year-ago period.

Toronto -- Canada’s Loblaw Companies Ltd. said it will pull its Joe Fresh brand from J.C. Penney stores in the United States at the beginning of next year as it looks to concentrate on freestanding Joe Fresh stores and e-commerce.  

Former Apple and JCPenney executive Ron Johnson’s career has been marked by spectacular success and failure, which is why his new retail venture called Enjoy is of interest, even if it borrows heavily from a service Best Buy launched more than a decade ago.

Billed as a “a whole new way to buy and enjoy technology,” Johnson secured $30 million in funding last fall and launched the service on Wednesday in the San Francisco area and debuts May 13 in New York.