J.C. Penney Sells Real Estate Stake in Simon, Unveils In-Store Shops

J.C. Penney said Monday it's raised $248 million and taken its first step toward shedding noncore assets by selling off part of its stake in a Simon Property Group unit. Following the transaction, the real estate unit for Penney — JCP Realty — will hold about 205,000 limited partnership units in Simon’s operating partnership. Also on Monday, J.C. Penney CEO Ron Johnson unveiled a trio of in-store shops, slated to open at 683 J.C. Penney stores across the United States starting on Aug. 1. The three in-store concepts all feature denim offerings.