JCPenney Co.

Every business magazine sports an “X Under 40” list celebrating precocious professionals. But, really, isn’t it almost always youthful drive and optimism that feeds the engine of progress?

The stories of Chain Store Age’s 2017 list of over-achievers under 40 abound with examples of young people from different disciplines who all discovered retail real estate as the perfect channel for their passions.

From international brands dropping anchor on U.S. shores and online players expanding in the physical space to familiar names with new formats and traditional start-ups, there is no lack of new concepts in the brick-and-mortar arena. Here’s a look at some with the biggest buzz.

TreeHouse

An Austin, Texas-based home improvement retailer with a green conscience and niche positioning is ready to branch out. TreeHouse opened in late 2011 in Austin’s Westgate Shopping Center, and has been thriving ever since.

Plano, Texas – J.C. Penney Co. Inc. is expanding its in-store partnership with Sephora. Starting May 1, Penney will introduce Sephora to 25 additional stores, enabling the global beauty retailer to enter new and smaller markets, while expanding Penney’s reach as a destination for beauty.

Since the exclusive partnership launched in 2006, more than 500 Penney stores now feature a full-service Sephora offering.

Now that the smoke has cleared from the initial release of the Apple Watch, retailers can take a more objective look at how this latest innovation in wearable technology might disrupt customer engagement and the overall customer experience. Here are three thoughts on how Apple Watch could shift the retail landscape.

Small Screen, Big Challenge/Opportunity

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Company has named consumer marketing executive and board member Mary Beth West as executive VP and chief customer and marketing officer, effective June 1. She replaces Debra Berman, who resigned as CMO after less than two years with the retailer.  West will be stepping down from the board to assume the new role.

New York -- The deadliest disaster in the history of the garment industry, as reported by The New York Times, has led to finger-pointing and lawsuits aimed at a group of retailers.

Victoria Gardens will break ground on a full streetscape renovation encompassing 1.19 acres of the center along its Monet Avenue, according to Melina Ferraez, director of marketing for Victoria Gardens.

Some of the biggest names in retail soon will be honored in the nation’s capital when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy host an annual event to recognize Energy Star Partners of the Year.

Among this year’s award recipients are Home Depot, Sears, Best Buy, Kroger, Kohl’s, Food Lion, Staples and JCPenney. The eight retailers are among 128 total companies being honored as Energy Star Partners of the Year from the roughly 16,000 companies who partner with EPA on the broad-based energy efficiency program.