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Simon ends MallPerks program
Simon Property Group, Indianapolis, has ended its MallPerks program, the customer-loyalty service it has run since 1997. Simon officials said the company cut the program based on feedback from customers and mall managers and on evaluations from senior management. Simon officials stressed that they felt the program was successful, but that it did not go far enough in serving its 2.3 million subscribers.

Westfield America may turn Long Wharf site into office space
Officials at Westfield America, Los Angeles, said they are considering turning the 19.5-acre piece of land that was supposed to be part of the 50-acre, $500 million Galleria at Long Wharf retail complex into office space. "We will be looking now to develop [the space] for office buildings or an office park development," said Peter Lowy, Westfield’s president and CEO. Lowy revealed that the firm paid between $20 million and $25 million to co-developers New England Development and Fusco Corp., both of Newton, Mass., for the New Haven property.

No clear winner seen in ruling on Simon vs. mySimon court case
In a ruling that had both sides claiming a partial victory, federal Judge David Hamilton upheld jury findings that Internet retailer mySimon, Santa Clara, Calif., intentionally adopted a name confusingly similar to Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group’s and ordered the Internet company to cease use of the name, its character and its mySimon.com Web site. Hamilton reduced damages from $26.8 million to $50,010 from the ruling reached last August.

Target to rename Dayton’s, Hudson’s
Target Corp., Minneapolis, which until last year was the Dayton Hudson Corp., is converting its 40 remaining Dayton’s and Hudson’s department stores to the Marshall Field’s banner.

Theme restaurant Planet Movies leaves Easton Town Center
The Planet Movies segment of the Easton Town Center, a lifestyle center in Columbus, Ohio, has closed down, underscoring the continued woes of the theme restaurant business. Planet Movies — a joint venture of AMC Entertainment, Kansas City, Mo.; Planet Hollywood, Orlando, Fla.; and the Official All-Star Cafe — will be bought out by AMC. Planet Movies includes a 30-screen theater, and one of each restaurant.