2 weeks agoNews ONEComments Off on JCPenney Is Making a Comeback—Here’s What Shoppers Can Expect This Year
The glamorous days of the department store are long gone, but a handful of former mall retailers are doing what they can to hang on. Just yesterday, Sparc Group announced that it would acquire JCPenney and merge the store with its other brands, including Eddie Bauer and Brooks Brothers. The merger will create a new company called Catalyst Brands that, as CNN points out, will now "hold significant sway over the future of America’s malls."
Though department stores have struggled for many years, JCPenney's troubles became serious during the 2020 pandemic. In May of that year, the company filed for bankruptcy after 10 straight years of financial losses that accumulated to $4.5 billion, CNN reported at the time. Analysts attributed the struggles to executive leadership turnover, a failed plan to become more high-end, and consumers moving over to cheaper stores like Walmart and Target.
In Sept. 2020, mall owners Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Group acquired JCPenney from its bankruptcy for $1.75 billion. However, by 2022, the 123-year-old retailer had closed nearly 200 of its 846 locations across 40 states.
JCPenney is now merging with other former mall mainstays.
The new deal is being facilitated by Sparc, also known as Simon Properties Authentic Retail Concepts, "a strategic partnership between Simon Property Group, Brookfield Corporation, Authentic Brands Group and Shein," reports The Wall Street Journal. JCPenney will merge with Sparc's other stores, Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand, and Nautica, as well as their "exclusive private brands," including Stafford, Arizona, and Liz Claiborne, according to a press release.
The merger will create a new umbrella company called Catalyst Brands, though JCPenney's current CEO, Marc Rosen, will remain at the helm.
"Our relationships with more than 60 million customers and the deep data we have create a compelling consumer value proposition across our brands. We can design a more personalized shopping experience, offer unified loyalty and credit card programs, and ultimately, cross-sell more effectively," Rosen said in the release. "With a clean balance sheet, we’re in great position to move forward."
Catalyst also owns Forever 21, though it is "exploring strategic options" for the brand. It recently sold the U.S. operations of the brand Reebok.
Best Life has reached out to JCPenney for more information on how the merger will directly affect existing stores, and we will update this story with their response.
JCPenney isn't the only formerly bankrupt department store to announce a comeback. In December, Lord & Taylor was acquired by Regal Brands Global, who announced plans to relaunch the brand as a digital retailer this year.
As Best Lifepreviously reported, "the new Lord & Taylor website will feature categories for designer and luxury brands, Lord & Taylor-branded merchandise, and a Gen-Z-centric shop with more affordable price points." It's still unclear if the department store will revive its physical footprint.
2 weeks agoNews ONEComments Off on Jedward ‘extremely worried’ & prays for celeb pal Tara Reid as she says ‘Hollywood is burning down’ in devastating text
JEDWARD have said they’re “extremely worried” for their celebrity pal Tara Reid after she revealed “Hollywood is burning down” in a devastating text.
While they’ve proven an unlikely match, the American Pie actress and Irish twins have been best friends for over a decade after meeting on UK’s Celebrity Big Brother back in 2011.
Wildfires have spread devastation in Los AngelesGetty Images - GettyInstagramJedward have sent their ‘prayers’ to their beloved friend Tara Reid[/caption]
InstagramJedward have said they’re ‘worried’ for Tara’s safety[/caption]
Clicking immediately, the trio are now inseparable, with the boys spending more and more time in Tara’s native Los Angeles and celebrating major holidays with her.
John and Edwardwere in Los Angeles, California, during the early stage of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown, where they lived with Tara and her boyfriend Nathan Montpetit-Howar.
This week devastation has hit Los Angeles as gusty winds and dry conditions have allowed the five major fires – named Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, and Sunset – to quickly spread.
Celebrity enclaves in theHollywoodHills and Pacific Palisades have been turned to ash in what officials say are themost destructive blazesin the city’s history.
Jedward‘s bestie Tara was among the tens of thousands who were forced to evacuate their homes in LA.
The model texted the Dublin duo to update them on her devastating situation.
She wrote: “Now we are on fire, all Hollywood is burning down. Runyon Canyon is on fire, it’s going down now.
“The buildings are on fire. We escaped, we are okay but this s*** is so scary. It feels like the end of the world.”
The brothers shared a screenshot of the message over on their Instagram Story and wrote: “Receiving this text from Tara Reid terrified and shocked up deeply.
“Can’t believe our old LA home at Runyon Canyon is being evacuated! Please come to London or we’ll come to you! We love and miss you. We’re extremely worried for you. Stay safe everyone.”
The pair also posted a photo of them with Tara in Hollywood beside another photo of the same area now on fire and said: “Can’t believe this view is covered in fire and burning down.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with our LA friends. You always have a home in our hearts.”
Kerrie took to Instagram today to update her fans on her safety after having to leave her house in a panic with her three-year-old daughter Isabel Grace.
HOUSE HORROR
The Dubliner wrote: “Safely made it to the hotel after the most frightening day.
“We lost our power yesterday but the fires did not appear to be in our area.
“Then we got notified to evacuate right away at 6pm so had to scramble to get out in the dark. Everyone was fleeing in their cars.
“Praying for everyone affected in LA.”
Tiffany also spent the night packing up her belongings to prepare for evacuation.
The influencer moved to America ten years ago and lives with her long-term boyfriend entrepreneur Garrett Thomas.
The former Miss Kildare got emotional as she spoke about her situation saying: “I can’t believe we are saying this but we are preparing to evacuate. I hope we don’t have to.”
2 weeks agoNews ONEComments Off on Dressed like a ‘porcelain doll’ by dad Michael & sex assault at 14…how Paris Jackson’s past led to horror heroin battle
SAT on her father’s knee in a pretty white dress and with a bow in her hair, Paris Jackson was presented to the world as the King of Pop’s perfect daughter.
But the pressure of growing up in Michael Jackson’s fairytale Neverland led to a nightmare of drugs and suicide attempts for the 26-year-old model and singer.
PAParis says Jacko liked to play ‘dress-up’ with doll-like clothes[/caption]
Instagram/@parisjacksonParis Jackson gave up heroin and alcohol five years ago[/caption]
GettyParis is a model and rock singer[/caption]
This week Paris described herself as “an alcoholic and a heroin addict” as she celebrated kicking those two devastating habits five years ago.
It is perhaps hardly surprising that the only daughter of Michael would have developed such dangerous dependencies, given that she was raised almost solely by a man who was hooked on pain killers.
At the age of 11 in 2009, Paris then had to deal with the trauma of her dad’s sudden death from those prescribed substances and a bitter struggle among his family for control of his vast fortune.
On top of that she didn’t meet her mum Debbie Rowe until two years later, with Michael having taken custody in what was widely reported to have been a financial agreement.
Today marks five years clean and sober from all drugs and alcohol
Paris Jackson
She also faced being sexually assaulted by a stranger aged 14, studying at an “abusive” school and being told she was “fat” by a relative.
Somehow, though, Paris has managed to turn her life around, getting engaged and forging her own career as a rock singer.
On her Instagram page this week, she wrote: “Today marks five years clean and sober from all drugs and alcohol.
“To say that I’m thankful would be a poor euphemism. Gratitude hardly scratches the surface. It’s because I’m sober that I get to smile today.”
Unstable start
Even before she was conceived, Paris stood no chance of being brought up in a stable environment.
Her mum Debbie had got to know Michael while working as his nurse and suggested giving him kids when he feared ending up childless following the end of his marriage to Lisa Marie Presley.
ReutersMichael has two kids with Debbie Rowe[/caption]
ReutersHe covered his kids’ faces in public despite numerous photoshoots[/caption]
They had two children together, Prince, 27, and Paris after getting married in November 1996.
But when they got divorced after just four years of marriage, Debbie agreed to Michael having sole custody of their offspring, receiving over £6million in the settlement.
A third child, Prince II, now known as Bigi, 21, arrived via a surrogate mother in 2002.
All three kids were beset by rumours that Michael was not their biological father and Oliver! actor Mark Lester was even suggested to have sired Paris.
But she always insists the black pop singer is her real dad.
Paris grew up in Michael’s Californian Neverland ranch, surrounded by zoo animals, fairground rides and her dad’s showbiz pals.
But she says that her dad made them go to “school every day” and could only go on the rides if they had been “good.”
Porcelain doll
Her father had a contradictory attitude to his children’s privacy.
Michael would pose for glossy magazine photoshoots with Paris, but also make her wear a mask when they went out in public.
It wasn’t something his daughter enjoyed, with her revealing: “I was the only girl of four boys for the first ten, 11 years of my life.
“Because I was the only girl, my dad loved playing dress-up. I looked like a porcelain doll and I hated it.”
I looked like a porcelain doll and I hated it
Paris Jackson
Paris rebelled against the picture perfect image by eating lots of food and that was frowned upon in the Jackson household.
She once recalled: “Food became an addiction and then a cousin called me fat so I was like, ‘OK, I can’t do that anymore.’
“And that’s how I fell into self-harm.”
InstagramParis and older brother Prince Michael had a bizarre upbringing[/caption]
InstagramParis hated her ‘porcelain doll’ outfits[/caption]
‘Good heart’
In the background there was also the stress of the trial Michael faced in 2005 for alleged child sexual abuse, which he was cleared by a jury.
Paris does not believe claims that her “good hearted” father molested children.
She told Rolling Stone magazine in 2017: “Nobody experienced him being a father to them.
“And if they did, the entire perception of him would be completely and forever changed.”
Splash NewsMum Debbie gave up custody, reportedly for a financial agreement[/caption]
Splash NewsParis only met her mother Debbie Rowe two years after Jacko’s death[/caption]
Wild child
She shared a sprawling compound in Encino, California with her uncle Jermaine Jackson’s children and did not follow the rules of her strict Jehovah’s Witness gran.
Paris said “I was doing a lot of things that 13, 14, 15-year-olds shouldn’t do. I tried to grow up too fast and I wasn’t really that nice of a person.’”
She hung out with “older crazy people”, got a lot of tattoos and took drugs as a teenager.
When she was just 14 a “stranger” sexually assaulted Paris.
She’s given few details of the attack, but said “It was really hard for me, and, at the time, I didn’t tell anybody.”
The family tried to straighten Paris out by sending her to a “reform school” in Utah, but instead she allegedly suffered abuse at the brutal Diamond Ranch Academy.
Paris said she was “diagnosed with PTSD” following her two years there.
All of those issues conspired to wreck her mental health,
Paris said she has tried to take her own life “multiple times”, going as far back as when she was 15.
Jacko’s daughter said: “It was just self-hatred, low self-esteem, thinking that I couldn’t do anything right, not thinking I was worthy of living anymore.”
Paris – who got an alien tattooed on her breast when she was 18 and now has 80 inkins – told how body art helped her recover from a darker time in her life.
“I can look at my inner forearms and see art that has meaning for me, I don’t see a dark past anymore,” she explained.
“My scars and past of self-hatred have been covered by loving marks, creativity, ingenuity and depth.
“I see ink as a way of changing for the better, always improving. they represent strength for me.”
Getty - ContributorParis with brother Prince Michael and Blanket at a memorial event for her dad in 2011[/caption]
She had troubled teenage years after the death of her dad
Getty - ContributorHer tattoos helped her put her ‘dark past’ behind her[/caption]
Alongside the message posted on Instagram on Tuesday night, Paris included clips of her wild youth, smoking and drinking alcohol straight from a bottle.
In 2019 she finally got help for her addictions, by going into a rehab, but it still took time to truly get clean.
Therapy and the support of her friends has helped her.
Now, she has a much healthier perspective on life, saying: “I get to make music. I get to experience the joy of loving my dogs and cat.
“I get to feel heartbreak in all its glory. I get to grieve. I get to laugh. I get to dance. I get to trust. I feel the sun on my skin and it’s warm.
“I’ve found that life keeps happening regardless of whether I’m sober or not, but today I get to show up for it.”
Michael Jackson's marriages and children
Michael Jackson had two high profile short-lived marriages.
The King of Pop married Elvis Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie in 1994 who he had first met in the 1970s.
They split in early 1996 with Lisa Marie citing “irreconcilable differences” as grounds for divorce.
Presley told Oprah Winfrey in 2010 after their separation that they repeatedly tried to reconcile.
Michael reportedly relied heavily on Lisa Marie for support when he first became embroiled in allegations of child abuse.
In 1996, Jackson married nurse Debbie Rowe who worked with his dermatologist who was treating him for vitiligo.
She offered to have his children, and after becoming pregnant in 1996 wed the singer in Sydney, Australia – they divorced three years later.
Michael had two children with his second wife Debbie Rowe and one from an unnamed donor.
The children he had with Rowe were Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, also known as “Prince” in 1997, and Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson in 1998.
The youngest Jackson has since changed his name officially to “Bigi” after it was revealed he was bullied as a result of the nickname his dad gave him.
Blanket was infamously dangled over the balcony of a Berlin hotel room shortly after his birth by his dad as the paparazzi waited outside.
Instagram/@parisjacksonParis has revealed her battle with alcohol and drug addiction[/caption]
GettyThe star looks healthy and happy at a recent event[/caption]
‘Whirlwind’ romance
Part of her new found positivity could be down to having got engaged to fellow musician Justin Long.
She had quite a tangled love before, describing herself as “gay” after dating both women as well as men.
In 2017 she was romantically linked to British supermodel Cara Delevingne when they spotted kissing and holding hands.
Paris said: “I say I’m gay, because I guess I am, but I wouldn’t consider myself bisexual because I’ve dated more than just men and women.
“I’ve dated a man that had a vagina. So it has nothing to do with what’s in your pants.”
Paris was linked to Cara DelevingneInstagramJustin Long has proposed to Paris[/caption]
She also seems to have a thing with rockers, having gone out with former bandmate Gabriel Glenn for two years.
The break-up with Gabriel was hard on the singer, with her claiming in the TV show Red Table Talk: “It was the deepest I ever loved someone, it was the most intense I’ve felt so far and the most intense betrayal I felt so far and experienced.”
Justin, a music producer who has worked with Paris and started dating her in 2022, proposed last year.
Alongside a photo of Justin going down on bended knee, she wrote on Instagram last month: “Doing life with you these last years has been an indescribable whirlwind and I couldn’t dream of anyone more perfect for me to do it all with.
2 weeks agoNews ONEComments Off on Dragons’ Den’s Touker Suleyman says BBC show is ‘more real’ than The Apprentice in savage swipe at rival
TOUKER Suleyman has taken a savage swipe at his BBC rival show The Apprentice – saying Dragons’ Den is ‘more real’.
The millionaire business tycoon returns to screens tonight with a brand new series of the hit series.
Touker Suleyman has said Dragons’ Den is “more real” in a savage swipe at Lord Sugar’s The ApprenticeBBCThe business tycoon said The Apprentice is a reality showBC
Another batch of entrepreneurs will enter the den vying for his – and the other dragons’ – cold hard cash.
Joining Touker are Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden Steven Barlett andSara Davies.
Meanwhile, its rival show The Apprentice is also due to return to screens in just a matter of weeks.
Speaking about the similarities between both business programmes, Touker said Dragons’ Den is “more real”.
He said: “We are really changing people’s lives, and I think, with all due respect to Lord Sugar and The Apprentice, it’s a reality show.”
Touker, 71, continued: “This is about business, this is about us parting with our own money.
“I can assure you, we don’t get as paid as well as Lord Sugar, who could afford to pay the £250,000.
“It’s our own hard-earned cash that we use in this show to change people’s lives.”
Last year Dragons’ Den bosses introduced guest dragons in a major overhaul to the show’s format.
Fans watched as football legend Gary Neville made an appearance alongside US fashion mogul Emma Grede.
Series 22 of Dragons Den launches tonight (January 9) on BBC One at 8pm.
Dragons' Den stars - past and present
Dragons' Den has been on our screens since 2005 and sees entrepreneurs enter the Den to try and win investment for their businesses from the Dragons.
2 weeks agoNews ONEComments Off on Couple slam Ryanair after being banned from boarding flight because of their passport… despite being able to check in
A COUPLE’S holiday plans were left in ruins after Ryanair stopped them from boarding the plane because of their passport.
Abriella Monroe’s and her husband Sebastien had booked Ryanair flights to Tenerife.
MEN MediaSebastien faced were turned away at the gate due to a surprising passport issue[/caption]
Glue appears to have worked loose on a page of his passport resulting in a tearMEN Media
Abriella, 32, and her husband Sebastien, 36, were planning to fly to the Spanish island to celebrate his birthday.
But were stopped from boarding the Ryanair plane due to a small tear along the spine of Sebastien’s passport.
Arriving at Manchester Airport two hours early for their flight, there didn’t appear to be a problem as they both checked-in without issue with their luggage being taken onto the plane.
Sebastien even managed to buy currency and spend money in duty free despite the fault with his passport.
But the pair were turned away at the gate after being told that Sebastien’s passport couldn’t be accepted.
Abriella told Manchester Evening News: “The man took a two second look at it and said ‘you can’t travel on that’. He said there was a slight rip in it and couldn’t accept it.
“We tried to reason with him and asked to speak to someone higher up, but it was no use.”
The pair were told they wouldn’t be able to board, and had to wait for their luggage and Abriella’s wheelchair to be taken off the plane, before having to leave the airport.
The couple explained they then went through the Border Force exit to the airport, who they said saw ‘no problem’ with Sebastien’s passport.
Abriella said they would “definitely be complaining to Ryanair”.
She added: “The passport is just slightly torn – we can fully see his details, passport number and his photograph.”
They said they would also be organising a new passport from Liverpool to avoid this happening again.
In response, a spokesperson for Ryanair said that the passport was ripped on the identification page at the seam and across the page which is why it wasn’t accepted..
A spokesperson told The Sun: “The UK Passport Office defines what constitutes as a damaged passport, not Ryanair.
“This passenger was correctly refused travel from Manchester to Tenerife (8 Jan) as his passport was damaged and therefore not valid for travel.”
Government guidelines on passports say that the HM Passport Office consider a passport to be damaged if details cannot be read; any of the pages are ripped, cut or missing; if there are holes, cuts or rips in the cover; the cover is coming away or there are stains on the pages.
What are the passport rules?
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot has explained exactly what Brits need to know.
“Travellers used to be able to roll over up to nine unused months from their old passport onto a new one.
“But post-Brexit, anyone wanting to travel to the EU can no longer rely on those extra months.
“In order to travel to the EU, all passports must be no more than 10 years old on the day you arrive in your European destination.
“And you’ll need at least three months on your passport on the day you head back to the UK.
“Figures have shown up to 100,000 holidaymakers a year face being turned away at airports if their passport is more than 10 years old.
“The 10-year rule only applies to countries in the European Union but every country may have different rules on what is accepted – some countries like South Africa, for example, insist you have at least six months left on your passport when you travel and a full clear page.”
Countries like Bali are even stricter, with a number of people banned from flights for small tears or damage.
