Mass Merchant

New York -- William Ackman, founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, said that J.C. Penney Co. should start to see “real progress” in early 2013. Ackman made his comments in an interview Tuesday on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” Pershing Square owns about 18% of J.C. Penney.

NEW YORK — Nicole by OPI is launching new fall shades of nail lacquer exclusively at Target this fall.

“Nicole by OPI is excited to bring the fashion-forward Target guest new lacquers for the fall season,” stated Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI EVP and artistic director. “Not only do the shades add the final touch to runway trends, the shimmery finish [also] adds elegance and depth to these trendy colors.”

The richly pigmented formulas come in shimmering shades of deep blue, gold, purple, mauve and green.

Boynton Beach, Fla. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based shopping center owner Regency Centers said it has completed the redevelopment of Boynton Lakes Plaza, a 117,124-sq.-ft. neighborhood center in Boynton Beach, Fla., which included the addition of a 45,000-sq.-ft. Publix.

The new grocery anchor relocated from an undersized store in a nearby center and is slated to open on June 9.

Washington, D.C. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) issued the following statement in response to the announcement that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has reached an agreement with Amazon.com requiring the online retailer to begin collecting state sales tax on purchases made in New Jersey by July 1, 2013.

"Today's announcement ends the practice of giving out-of-state retailers like Amazon.com an unfair advantage over those retailers who are an integral part of communities across New Jersey," said RILA president Sandy Kennedy

Target this week featured collection of Procter & Gamble’s leading brands under the auspices of a “summer stock-up” sale that offered purchasers of three items a $10 gift card.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — May sales at Fred's Inc. increased 6% to $152.1 million from $143.6 million in May 2011. Comparable-store sales for the month rose 1.3% compared with an increase of 0.2% in the same period last year.

Fred's total sales for the first four months of fiscal 2012 increased 4% to $652.6 million compared with $628 million for the same period last year. On a comparable-store basis, year-to-date sales increased 0.1% on top of an increase of 0.8% in the same period last year.

New York -- Real estate advisory firm RCS Real Estate Advisors said Wednesday that it has been retained by teen retailer Delia’s to evaluate the performance of its real estate portfolio and serve as the outsourced real estate department for all retail locations. 

Nashville, Tenn. -- Tennessee’s largest outlet and value retail center, Opry Mills, has added a Claim Jumper restaurant to its dining options.

The new restaurant, which is making its market debut, recently opened at Entry 7 near the entertainment stage and joins other eateries such as Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Dave & Buster’s, Chuy’s, Rainforest Café, Aquarium Restaurant and a nine-unit food court.