RDCToday.com: Transforming JCPenney’s brand through architecture, innovation

Innovation and Technology 1 Minute

My latest post for Retail Design & Construction Today is now live. The title is, Will redesign of JCPenney brand also influence retail architecture?

In the article, I discuss the surprising move by Ron Johnson from head of retail for Apple to CEO of JCPenney. Johnson was responsible in the 90s for changing Target’s brand perception as a retailer, and led the development and expansion of Apple’s amazingly successful retail strategy.

Can he work that same magic on a company with over a century of business history? To accomplish this mission, Johnson is relying on four key principles:

  1. Changing the interior architecture of the stores, creating a Main Street featuring boutique brand storefronts, and a Town Square for integrating products with services (similar in concept to the Apple Genius Bar)
  2. Employees will no longer be paid on commission, and encouraged to genuinely help shoppers and build relationships, instead of focusing on making sales (another idea from Apple retail)
  3. Simplified pricing structure, bucking the long standing practice of selling items at odd amounts ($10 vs. $9.99)
  4. Significantly limiting the number of sales and using “everyday low pricing,” a la Walmart

Please check out the full article for more.

References

Here are some of the articles referenced in the post:

Image courtesy Sam Howzit

Published by Brian L. Hill

As Director of Consulting Services for Xpera Group, Brian L. Hill connects clients to the diverse range of experts, technical specialists, tools and other resources that the firm has to offer in order to solve complex building performance issues. He is also the editor and publisher of AECforensics.com, which dissects the latest news and information impacting quality and risk management in the built environment.

Published