Here’s a consumer quandary for the ages, where both sides have compelling arguments. Robert was shopping at JCPenney with his daughter, who is a preteen and intellectually disabled. The problem is that store policy dictates that there are no men allowed in the women’s fitting rooms for privacy reasons and, as an employee explained, to keep out “sex offenders.” [More]
JCPenney
Caribou Decides It Doesn’t Want JCPenney As Its BFF; Won’t Set Up Coffee Shops In Stores
By 3.15.13
In some ways, we feel kinda bad for JCPenney; the department store is quickly becoming the kid on the playground no one wants to play with despite all its best efforts. The latest setback in its quest to find new best friends comes as Caribou declares it doesn’t want to pursue a partnership with JCPenney to set up coffee shops inside its stores. [More]
JCPenney Agrees To Refrain From Selling Martha Stewart Products Until April Court Date
By 3.8.13
Although JCPenney has been jonesing to start selling Martha Stewart-designed products in its Martha mini-shops, for now it seems that desire will have to be curbed. The department store agreed yesterday to set aside its plans for Martha’s products in its stores at least until an April 8 court date. Rival Macy’s is probably thrilled, while Stewart is likely still wondering if everyone has two houses and thus, a need for two casserole dishes. [More]
JCPenney Laying Off Even More Employees
By 3.7.13
A year ago, JCPenney staffers were telling us they were afraid the retailer was “turning into Sears,” but at this point that might not be such a bad thing. [More]
Martha Stewart Testifies In JCPenney Vs. Macy’s Dispute: The More Deals The Merrier, Right?
By 3.6.13
As retailers JCPenney and Macy’s go back and forth in the bitter battle for the right to sell Martha Stewart branded products, the legend herself popped into court yesterday to defend her company’s decision to sign a deal with one when she’d already pledged her allegiance to another. [More]
Judge Warns JCPenney On Martha Stewart Products: Blame Yourself For Empty Shelves
By 3.4.13
A judge is warning JCPenney that if it ends up with empty shelves bereft of Martha Stewart-branded products, it’ll only have itself to blame. The company is in the midst of a tiff with Macy’s over which retailer is allowed to sell her homewares. Macy’s is claiming exclusive rights, but JCPenney recently went ahead and ordered products from her company anyway. [More]
JCPenney Pinning Its Hopes On The Guy Responsible For Marketing New Coke
By 2.28.13
JCPenney CEO Ron Johnson had a lot of explaining to do today during the company’s Q4 earnings call. The retailer has been circling the drain since the former Apple head honcho took over, losing billions in sales and admitting its turnaround tactics were not so smart. Which is why Johnson said he’s bringing on the guy behind New Coke to help the company rebound. Heck, why not? [More]
That Didn’t Last Long: JCPenney Brings Back Sales
By 1.28.13
Almost exactly a year after saying “NOOOOOO!” to sales and switching to an everyday low price model (and about six months after deciding maybe this was a stupid idea), JCPenney has officially changed its mind and will be bringing back all the sales it had assumed customers didn’t want. [More]
JCPenney Loses My Mattress, Suggests I Rent A Truck To Go Pick It Up
By 1.21.13
Consumerist reader and former JCPenney employee Ron says he’d had some residual loyalty for the department store. That was before JCP not only lost his new mattress then suggested he rent a truck to pick it up. He might have even done it, if anyone could tell him where the mattress was. [More]
Amazon Retains Its Crown Among Online Retailers In This Year’s Holiday Consumer Satisfaction Survey
By 12.27.12
Online retailers are sitting pretty these days due to the convenience they offer during busy times like the holidays, but according to this year’s survey of consumer satisfaction, some businesses made out better than others. Amazon is the reigning champ of customer satisfaction, and it held onto that title again this year, beating out upstarts like Gilt.com and RueLaLa.com. [More]
JCPenney Problems Highlight What Happens When A Brand Becomes Just Another Name
By 11.13.12
JCPenney has lost a ton of money since the beginning of the year, when it announced a drastic “no sales” policy and attempted to rebrand itself as “jcp.” But can you really “re-brand” a store that hasn’t had an identity since my mom dragged me there to buy back-to-school clothes in fifth grade? [More]
Apparently People Don’t Like The New JCPenney
By 11.9.12
Not even a year ago, JCPenney began its bold new venture into everyday low pricing instead of sales and coupons and the like. By June, JCP had become less hard-line about the “no sales” thing and fired the relatively new company president. And yet things have continued to slide, with sales down 27% in the last quarter. [More]
JCPenney CEO Offers Loyal Customers $10 Coupon After He Got Rid Of Coupons
By 10.11.12
We’re confused by you, JCPenney CEO Ron Johnson. First you say “No more sales at JCPenney!” and try to offer low prices all the time. That didn’t work so well, and so then you say “No more coupons!” and follow that one up by sending customers a coupon. Pick a plan, Ron. Pick a plan. [More]
JCPenney Will Do Anything To Get Shoppers In Its Doors, Including Offer Free Kids' Haircuts
By 9.10.12
JCPenney is not going down without a fight, and now it’s arming itself with scissors. Not to stab at anyone but rather to snip kids’ coifs for free starting in November. The new promotion announced today offers customers free cuts for kindergarteners through sixth grade every Sunday. [More]
What's To Come Of All The Space Left Over By Shrinking Big Box Stores?
By 8.10.12
In recent years, a number of big box retailers and department store chains have begun the process of closing stores and cutting the size of some existing outlets. But since there isn’t exactly a huge rush by other retailers to snap up those spaces, are we going to inundated with empty ghost stores that stand as a reminder of the big box boom? [More]
This E-Mail Basically Sums Up Why JCPenney May Be On Borrowed Time
By 8.7.12 — Updated: 3.22.13
Like the dorky kid in a high school sitcom who tries to change his image by showing up one day in leather pants and frosted hair, JCPenney has spent the last year desperately trying to make over its image as a place people used to get dragged to by their mom every August. But all the across-the-board price cuts, logo redesigns and iPad-toting cashiers in the world can’t cover up sheer incompetence. [More]
Since Doing Away With Sales Didn’t Work, JCPenney Is Just Getting Rid Of Check-Out Clerks
By 7.20.12
If it works for grocery stores, why not try it at a department store? JCPenney is doing away with human checkout clerks and turning to self-service stands instead. You never know, perhaps the lure of a new experience will bring in customers to the struggling retail chain, since doing away with sales didn’t quite pan out. [More]
JCPenney Ditches President After Only 8 Months
By 6.18.12
Last Fall, JCPenney’s new CEO, former Apple retail guru Ron Johnson, hired another retail biggie with a charmed resume, Target vet Michael Francis, as president. Francis was charged with the goal of righting the ship and steering JCP back on course. Continuing this nautical theme, Francis has now been put out on a dinghy and cut loose to drift in the sea of unemployment. [More]
