BusinessBusinessjcpron johnson jcpenney

JCPenney Executive Nick Wooster Reveals The Secret To Transforming The Company: 'Make Cute Shit'

JCPenney Executive: We Just Need To 'Make Cute S**t'
|
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 12: Nick Wooster attends the Michael Bastian fall 2013 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on February 12, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

Why didn't we think of that?

Nick Wooster, JCPenney's senior vice president of product and design, offered a simple solution to the struggling retailer's woes earlier this month at a Women’s Wear Daily conference: just “make cute shit.” Wooster also explained JCPenney's plan to become “America’s favorite store," which includes introducing several brand shops inside JCPenney stores.

“I’m going to get in trouble for saying this, but [we need to] make cute shit,” Wooster said in response to prodding from an audience member. “If we have compelling product, people will come into the store. I firmly believe that’s the job of merchants. Am I done yet?”

Sarah Holland, a JCPenney spokesperson, wrote in an email to The Huffington Post that the company supports "Nick and his vision for jcpenney to make cute shit."

The company better hope the strategy works. JCPenney suffered a 30 percent drop in revenue last quarter, capping off a year that included major quarterly losses and a failed attempt to rid themselves of their famous (and costly) sales.

JCPenney's other strategy has included some 2,200 layoffs, all while company executives quite literally continue to fly high. Many are commuting to their jobs by plane and the company has three private jets registered to its name, Bloomberg reported earlier this month.

There is a possibility “cute shit” strategy won't work either. The Huffington Post reported last June that shoppers with a “frumpy” style, who turned to JCPenney because it offered exactly that, were disappointed with the hipper clothes the company’s new CEO Ron Johnson introduced into the store.

(Hat tip: Business Insider)

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Hottest Retailers
10. Overstock.com(01 of10)
Open Image Modal
Sales growth in '10 vs. '09: 23.8 percentRetail sales in the U.S.: $1.07 billionNumber of stores in 2010: N.A.Stores growth in '10 vs. '09: N.A.This year, the online retailer started selling discounted hotel rooms, and is considering offering deals on auto and home insurance.Read more at bundle.com.
9. H&M(02 of10)
Open Image Modal
Sales growth in '10 vs. '09: 29.3 percentRetail sales in the U.S.: $1.2 billionNumber of stores in 2010: 208Stores growth in '10 vs. '09: 10.1 percentAlthough only 10 percent of its worldwide stores are located in the U.S., the clothing retailer is rapidly growing. H&M; plans to have a running website to sell to American shoppers by the end of this year. Well-regarded designers like Donatella Versace also sell affordable collections at the store during certain seasons.Read more at bundle.com.
8. Netflix(03 of10)
Open Image Modal
Sales growth in '10 vs. '09: 29.5 percentRetail sales in the U.S.: $2.1 billionNumber of stores in 2010: N.A.Stores growth in '10 vs. '09: N.A.Despite price increases for subscribers, Netflix has presented itself as the far superior option to renting DVDs by mail or watching streaming content online (and people are talking with their wallets, here).Read more at bundle.com.
7. Apple Stores/iTunes(04 of10)
Open Image Modal
Sales growth in '10 vs. '09: 32.3 percentRetail sales in the U.S.: $18 billionNumber of stores in 2010: 233Stores growth in '10 vs. '09: 7.4 percentThink about which products have excited consumers in the past few years, and you will think of Apple: the iPhone, the iPad, and the soon to be debuted the iCloud. The typical Apple store also generates $4,046 of revenue per square feet, compared to $880 that Best Buy brings in.Read more at bundle.com.
6. Bodega Latina(05 of10)
Open Image Modal
Sales growth in '10 vs. '09: 32.5 percentRetail sales in the U.S.: $722 millionNumber of stores in 2010: 34Stores growth in '10 vs. '09: 61.9 percentThe rapidly growing Latino market has boosted sales for the grocery chain, which has seen the the most growth in areas like Southern California, Texas, and South Florida.Read more at bundle.com.
5. Tops Friendly Markets(06 of10)
Open Image Modal
Sales growth in '10 vs. '09: 33.1 percentRetail sales in the U.S.: $2.2 billionNumber of stores in 2010: 133Stores growth in '10 vs. '09: 77.3 percentAfter being downsized in the early 2000s, Tops Friendly Markets recently won a bankruptcy court battle to take over 79 supermarkets, and is making waves in the convenience store business. This summer, Top opened a remodeled store and an on-site fueling station in upstate New York.Read more at bundle.com.
4. hhgregg(07 of10)
Open Image Modal
Sales growth in '10 vs. '09: 36.3 percentRetail sales in the U.S.: $2.1 billionNumber of stores in 2010: 173Stores growth in '10 vs. '09: 32.1 percentThe consonant-heavy sounding store name founded by Henry Harold and Fansy Gregg opened its first 10 stores in South Florida with more planned. It passed $2 billion in sales for the first time last year.Read more at bundle.com.
3. Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market(08 of10)
Open Image Modal
Sales growth in '10 vs. '09: 37.8 percentRetail sales in the U.S.: $766 millionNumber of stores in 2010: 164Stores growth in '10 vs. '09: 13.1 percentAlthough it initially lost money after opening its first store four years ago, Fresh & Easy is expanding in Southern California, Phoenix and Las Vegas, and just opened two stores in San Francisco.Read more at bundle.com.
2. Amazon.com(09 of10)
Open Image Modal
Sales growth in '10 vs. '09: 46.2 percentRetail sales in the U.S.: $18.5 billionNumber of stores in 2010: N.A.Stores growth in '10 vs. '09: N.A.Online bargains have always been available on Amazon.com and consumers have flocked to the retailer to find deals. In addition, Amazon saw major sales growth after it bought Zappos.com, a highly celebrated retailer known for its stellar customer service.Read more at bundle.com.
1. Ascena Retail Group (formerly Dress Barn)(10 of10)
Open Image Modal
Sales growth in '10 vs. '09: 58.9 percentRetail sales in the U.S.: $2.3 billionNumber of stores in 2010: 2,477Stores growth in '10 vs. '09: 58.9 percentWho would have thought Dress Barn would rank at the top of the 100 hottest retailers? The retail group has focused on targeting specific demographics to produce profits. The Ascena Retail Group's Dress Barn targets the 35- to 55-year-old woman. It's Maurices chain targets 17- to 34-year-olds, and another chain Justice's targets 7- to 14-year-old customers. Ascena has been able to target specific segments of the consumer base, and has seen real success.Read more at bundle.com.
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip