The GOP and JC Penney

[MR2]

The GOP and JC Penney

It was a staid brand catering to middle aged and older customers who had a strong loyalty, but that wasn’t enough.

Change was needed. A freshening up was called for. A decision was made to appeal to younger, more hip customers. Everyone with a brain agreed, it was brilliant.

The advertising was prepared. The strategy unveiled. JC Penney was going to end the discounting that their customer base was used to, and instead go to a new look and feel store featuring a series of unique boutiques.

Old style coupon clippers were out, and a bright, wide open new shopping experience was in.

A little more than a year later, the results are in.

JC Penney’s rebranding alienated its existing customers to such an extent that they no longer shop there. No need to worry about hipsters being turned off by Grandma cluttering the aisles. Grandma is at Kohl’s.

And with the new vibrant audience not exactly trekking down the mall from the Apple Store to fill the gap, JC Penney is now in crisis.

[Dusty]

I heard that story on Huckabee yesterday. It's an outstanding analogy. Made me think of the Young Republicans, whose organization is one of the only hopes the GOP has for a resurgence.

I'd certainly like to see all the RHINO's, pantywaists and cowtowers get swept out in 2014, with guys like Cruz and Paul in the vanguard of the new organization, and a full head of Tea Party-ish steam to propel them.

Too bad the MSM is running a blockade.

[alelks]

My store is part of the mall in Lumberton. When I saw how they gutted JC Penney last year I immediately knew they were going down hill fast. The clothing got cheaper and there was only 1/3 as much in the store as there was previously. I only walked through there a couple of times over the last year and it was so bad I didn't even stop to look at anything.

Hopefully they can recover but time will tell.

[Sohei]

The local JC Penney in my area has simply become a shell. Within the last couple of months, I have noticed how they have become a "multiple mini-boutique" with several different sections (Brands they sponsor) being located within their building. The "old" Penney's has simply become a namesake for all of the new "sections". Very little of it is still the JC Penney's of old.

The times are changing.

Originally Posted by The Sheepdog

. The "old" Penney's has simply become a namesake for all of the new "sections". Very little of it is still the JC Penney's of old.

The times are changing.

It hasn't been the "old" J C Penny's" since the 1960s.

[Sohei]

Originally Posted by WCH

It hasn't been the "old" J C Penny's" since the 1960s.

Yes sir! You are correct. I was recently telling my son and daughter-in-law about how we use to actually buy groceries at JC Penney and they looked at me like I was an alien.

I remember back then that they had seven cash registers and actually had seven cashiers working them rather than the standard used today -- 20 cash registers with four of them open with 20 people waiting to be served.

[Badger52]

Way back that's where my 'back-to-school' clothes came from. Nowadays they are simply a "Dodge, Run & Jump" to be negotiated if you had to park on that end of the mall (which I visit rarely).

The store of my youth was located on a main drag in proximity to their clientele, pre-mall, walking distance. They took a gamble. And correct as reported by MR2; at least around here, Grandma is at Kohl's.