J.C. Penney prepares to part with Stewart

9/6/2013

NEW YORK — J.C. Penney may be ending the tug-of-war with its nemesis for Martha Stewart.

The chain is reportedly dumping the Martha Stewart brand after sales of the home maven’s goods failed to live up to expectations. The move, reported Thursday by the New York Post, comes as a judge is expected to rule in a long court battle between J.C. Penney Co. and Macy’s Inc. over whether Macy’s has an exclusive right to sell some of her products.

Emails seeking comment on the report from Ms. Stewart and J.C. Penney were not immediately returned.