JC Penney, which has oftentimes been associated with the drab and the out-of-style, is gearing up for the opening day of its first Manhattan store. The location of the store is especially noteworthy, as JC Penney’s Manhattan store will be only a block away from Macy’s legendary flagship store.
The store’s location signals JC Penney’s self-made transformation from a budget retailer, with all of the unfortunate strings attached, to a chic, affordable retailer that combines affordability with exclusivity. JC Penney will now feature collections from designer Nicole Miller, Chris Madden home furnishings, and Sephora cosmetics shops within its stores.
JC Penney has …read more

J.C. Penney’s CEO, Ken Hicks, will step down on July 6 to become Foot Locker’s chief executive officer after the current CEO, Matthew Serra, retires. Hicks will officially take the reins of the shoe retailer on August 17, marking a definitive end of a four-year stint as CEO of the struggling department store chain.
Hicks originally joined J.C. Penney in 2002, and before that he worked at Payless Shoesource Inc. His legacy at J.C. Penney involves his efforts to enhance customer service and to attract female shoppers, making women’s clothing one of the department store’s top-selling categories.
Serra will remain the chairman …read more