Mass Merchant

Arlington, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association said Monday via a written letter to the House Ways and Means Committee that all corporate tax preferences need to be “put on the table” so that politics can be neutralized and progress can be made.

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.

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.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart said it will open two additional college campus locations, nearly two years after make its university debut at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

According to a Monday report by the Wall Street Journal, which cited Inside Higher Ed, the retailer will open a 5,000-sq.-ft. store at Arizona State University in Phoenix next month, and will open in Atlanta on the Georgia Tech campus later this year.

New York -- Costco Wholesale appears to be eyeing China's online commerce market, according to published reports.

The Southern Metropolis Daily, a newspaper based in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, reported Thursday that the Issaquah, Wash.-based club retailer was interested in entering the country's e-commerce market and was in the process of looking for local partners.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NFL quarterback Cam Newton's collection for Belk is now available in 133 Belk stores and on Belk.com. This exclusive collection, MADE Cam Newton, offers fashion-forward, versatile, professional and sportswear apparel options for men.

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.

A March 2013 study by Kantar Retail indicates that Walmart Canada and Target Canada are very competitively positioned from a basket price perspective.