JCPenney Co.

NEW YORK — Myron E. (Mike) Ullman has rejoined Penney as CEO, effective immediately, replacing Ron Johnson, who is leaving the company. Ullman, who served as CEO of Penney until late 2011, has also been elected to the board of directors.

Johnson’s departure was not all that unexpected given the chain’s mounting losses and sales declines. But it was still a stunning reversal of fortune for the former golden boy of Apple, who left the tech giant amid great fanfare for the top job at Penney.

By Robert Passikoff, president, Brand Keys

In 2000, the average tenure of a CEO was 10 years. In 2008, it was down to eight and half, signaling a slightly higher degree of corporate and brand accountability by boards and shareholders. Ron Johnson, the now former-CEO of J.C. Penney, only lasted 17 months.

New York -- The fight over Martha Stewart resumed with both Macy's and J.C. Penney Co. back in a New York court on Monday. The trial, over whether Macy's has an exclusive right to sell select Martha Stewart home goods items, resumed after a month-long mediation effort failed to yield a settlement.

On Monday, Macy’s alleged Penney has begun selling some items on its website that infringe on Macy’s exclusive deal with Martha Stewart.

New York -- Macy’s and J.C. Penney are slated to be back in New York state court on Monday unless a last-minute settlement regarding Macy’s right – or not – to sell certain Martha Stewart products is reached.

The two retailers are coming out of a month-long mediation stint, but so far no settlement has been reached.

According to a Monday report by Reuters, witness are scheduled to be on the stand Monday and Tuesday, including J.C. Penney marketing executives.  

New York -- Ron Johnson is out as CEO of J.C. Penney. In making the announcement, the company also said that that Myron E. (Mike) Ullman has rejoined Penney as CEO, effective immediately. Ullman, who served as CEO of Penney until late 2011, has also been elected to the board of directors.

Johnson’s departure was not all that unexpected given the chain’s mounting losses and sales declines. But it was still a stunning reversal of fortune for the former golden boy of Apple, who left the tech giant amid great fanfare for the top job at Penney.

Henderson, Nev. -- One of Southern Nevada’s largest shopping centers is set to undergo a $7 million renovation, its largest since it opened in 1996. According to mall owner, Cleveland-based Forest City Enterprises, construction is scheduled to begin early April and is slated for completion in the fall.

Boutique Talulah will join H&M in the newly renovated mall. Bath & Body Works and Express stores will relocate to new locations inside the center.

Exton, Pa. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) said Tuesday that Francesca’s Collections has opened at its Exton Square Mall property, in Exton, Pa.

The arrival of the 1,300-sq.-ft. Francesca’s store will soon be joined by Teavana, which is set to open a 1,000-sq.-ft. store this summer.

New York -- A Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Tuesday revealed that embattled J.C. Penney CEO Ron Johnson saw his compensation package plummet 97% to about $1.9 million in 2012.

Johnson received a base salary of $1.5 million, up from his partial-year salary of $375,000 in 2011, but did not receive stock or option awards in 2012. That compares with a stock award worth $52.7 million on the date it was granted in 2011, when Johnson was named CEO.