In early 2012, JC Penney promised the end of “fake prices”—ones that were inflated just so that shoppers could be tricked …
jcpenney
Attention JC Penney Shoppers, Look Out for the Return of ‘Sales Galore’
After months of abysmal sales tallies, the Ron Johnson era is over at JC Penney. Now that Johnson’s “fair and square” no-coupons pricing policies have proved to be a failure, the department store will have to try something else …
The 5 Big Mistakes That Led to Ron Johnson’s Ouster at JC Penney
In the fall of 2011, Ron Johnson was appointed not just as CEO of JC Penney, but as the savior responsible for breathing new life into one of the dowdiest dinosaurs in American retail. Seventeen months—and many, many mistakes—later, he’s out of a job. What happened?
Can the Boutique ‘Store-Within-a-Store’ Concept Save Big Box Retailers from Extinction?
When successful, a store within the store will improve the appeal of both brands involved. That’s especially important for a retailer presumed to be on its deathbed.
The 12 Most Awkward Product Recalls Ever
Yoga is supposed to enhance transparency, but not like this. Trendy apparel manufacturer Lululemon Athletica had to cover its butt this week by pulling some of its pricey yoga pants off store shelves after discovering that a …
Macy’s CEO: ‘Shocked … Sick to My Stomach’ After Betrayal by Former ‘Friend’ Martha Stewart
The Macy’s-JCPenney-Martha Stewart squabble has quickly gotten personal, even reminiscent of high school—with accusations of backstabbing, betrayal, and months of deception among executives who once considered themselves “friends.”
Why Is Walgreens Selling Sushi? The Changing Business of Drugstores
Drugstores are generally considered as little more than necessary and convenient. But now that some Walgreens boast nail salons, cafes serving sushi and smoothies, and impressive selections of beer, wine, liquor, and cigars, can …
Online Shopping: More Popular (Yet Less Satisfying) Than Ever
Based on the sales figures, consumers are increasingly content to turn to the web to get their holiday shopping done. Judging by survey data and heaping anecdotal evidence, however, we’re increasingly dissatisfied with online …
Beyond Deals & Discounts: How Retailers Are Luring in Holiday Shoppers
Low prices are sure to draw in consumers during the ultra-competitive holiday shopping season. But cheap deals are hardly the only strategy being used by stores to woo consumers.
The Hottest Section of the Department Store May Be Online
First and foremost, big brick-and-mortar retailers want to drive foot traffic into stores during the holiday period. But even when it comes to the old-fashioned department store model, retailers understand that boosting online …
JCPenney’s Not-So-Black Friday
For most retailers, the upcoming Black Friday will be bigger (more deals, longer hours) than ever before. But what does a store do on Black Friday if it’s promised to stop using the discounts and marketing and sales gimmicks that …
JCPenney: Forget Coupons and Black Friday Sales. How About a Free Photo Instead?
The reason why door buster deals, coupons, dramatic markdowns, and a short-lived sales are staples of the retail holiday scene is simple: They drive traffic into the stores. So how does a store attract customers when it’s sworn …
