In the event you were actually serious about your remark, why don't you give us the pleasure of comparing your bank account balance to his? You seem to have an insight as to what constitutes a loser...
What is he going to do? Make genius bars at JC Penny to help people color coordinate their clothing?
He certainly seems to have made a shitload of dough working for Apple. Hundreds of millions in cash for 10 years work is not too shabby.
FWIW: Actually Penny's has - for one thing - a fairly competent home decorating department who can help you put together packages of window treatments and much more (which I've used several times with good results). So one could see them becoming more service-oriented.
And I can see the attraction of running a whole corporate show to cap off a distinguished career - worth more on someone's scale of personal values than any financial inducements Apple could offer to keep him.
Assuming for some reason that Sears was even an option, it's just too easy. IMO, if he was looking for a challenge, he picked the right company.
I disagree, Sears is coasting if not wandering into the weeds. But the significant thing is that there's a lot to work with. Penny's would seem to be, at the moment, close to a generic blank slate, which is maybe what he was looking for. But the problem there is trying to build a brand in the already supersaturated and competitive general goods brick and mortar retail market.
You've got Costco and Walmart soaking up the dollars at the super price sensitive end, Target doing great business in the low to mid segment and folks like Macy's happy to anchor your next mall.
Penny's is just sort of middling meh. They may have some residually loyalty from an older demographic, but there's no growth to be had from that quarter. If anything, the Penny's name is a boat anchor at this point, suggesting to anyone under 40 a kind of fluorescent lit old people's hell.
So, yeah, a challenge, but maybe too much of a challenge IMO. Sears, on the other hand, could be rebooted by skipping the 70s associations and going straight to "classic." Simple, sturdy, good value, great services. I think Sears still has some of those associations, and it's something to build on.
If I were Johnson I'd probably jettison the "Penny's" name altogether and just start over-- which I suppose might be what he wants to do. I just don't think it's possible.
So, yeah, a challenge, but maybe too much of a challenge IMO. Sears, on the other hand, could be rebooted by skipping the 70s associations and going straight to "classic." Simple, sturdy, good value, great services. I think Sears still has some of those associations, and it's something to build on.
If I were Johnson I'd probably jettison the "Penny's" name altogether and just start over-- which I suppose might be what he wants to do. I just don't think it's possible.
I agree with what you say but Penny's does have 1,100 stores and some massive number of employees. Yes it needs a reboot. Yes it has a lack of an image. But people need clothes. I still agree with you that Sears has the ingredients for a winner. Maybe some other executive will make it happen. Penny's I dunno. It would be nice to think something positive but I am not sure what I can say about this.
IMO, department stores is the way forward. With high street shops closing and driven out of business by large out of town supermarkets, city centres need a large one roof solution to save them.
I don't see how. The economy is still pretty bad, people are driving less and spending less when they do go out. And is JC Penney going to somehow outperform Walmart?
So, yeah, a challenge, but maybe too much of a challenge IMO. Sears, on the other hand, could be rebooted by skipping the 70s associations and going straight to "classic." Simple, sturdy, good value, great services. I think Sears still has some of those associations, and it's something to build on.
I'd reboot Sears as "modern," not "classic." What I'd do is fund a massive internet campaign to compete directly with Amazon, but then use the leverage of the stores to allow pickups, returns via the stores, something Amazon can't compete with. I'd further use the stores to offer installations and other home services that Amazon can't compete with as only a warehouse entity.
The one thing JC Penny's has that Sears doesn't is a higher price point. This may not be entirely true in terms of product pricing or quality, but rather brand image. I can see JC Penny's becoming a lower class Lord and Taylor (that's the really expensive one, right?) that makes consumers feel luxurious while remaining budget-oriented. Kind of how people pay a little more money when they believe they're getting a better product, despite not needing any of the additional features.
I really have no idea about department stores though these days; take my input with a grain of salt.
The head of Apple's retail operations, Ron Johnson, is set to depart Apple and will become the new president and chief executive of retailer J.C. Penney.
If this friigin' idiot thinks that JC Penney is going to have more opportunities for him than Apple, then I say GOOD RIDDANCE!!!
After Steve rescued him from Target? Now he wants to go back to a discounter? He has no loyalty and even less sense.
I'd reboot Sears as "modern," not "classic." What I'd do is fund a massive internet campaign to compete directly with Amazon, but then use the leverage of the stores to allow pickups, returns via the stores, something Amazon can't compete with. I'd further use the stores to offer installations and other home services that Amazon can't compete with as only a warehouse entity.
I'd hold out for some kind of classic thing, since I think that lines up with the current zeitgeist of simplification and belt tightening as "American values." But I completely agree that if they were going to do that it should include heavy emphasis on services.
Interestingly, at one time Sears was known for exactly that, but in recent years they've dropped the ball. They've contracted out to a lot of third parties for warranty and shipping services, so when something goes wrong and you expect Sears to stand behind "their" product you find out you're dealing with someone else.
Get the CEO to do frank spoken TV spots about how Sears is a part of American history and how they're committed to bringing back that level of service and support. Admit that they've strayed and explain how they're going to get it right. The pieces are there-- they have extensive in home appliance installation services, delivery, in-store pickup that involves something more than parking in a parking lot and hauling shit to your car, etc.
I don't think Penny's has any story to tell at all. The best they can hope for is "We're Penny's, which you may are may not remember or have every been inside of one, but we're nicer than we were." Even if they make it splendid, who's going to know or care?
The one thing JC Penny's has that Sears doesn't is a higher price point. This may not be entirely true in terms of product pricing or quality, but rather brand image. I can see JC Penny's becoming a lower class Lord and Taylor (that's the really expensive one, right?) that makes consumers feel luxurious while remaining budget-oriented. Kind of how people pay a little more money when they believe they're getting a better product, despite not needing any of the additional features.
I really have no idea about department stores though these days; take my input with a grain of salt.
Interesting. I don't know anyone who associates "Penny's" with much in the way of upscale, but that's probably because I live in the Bay Area and there aren't many around.
I must admit it would be unwise to count Johnson out-- Target and the Apple Store are two huge success stories, and they both benefit from a singular vision and focused execution. I kind of love the current Target, and it does a great job of positioning itself as "the Walmart you shop at if you don't mind paying a few cents more and have a shred of human dignity left."
So maybe he could do a similar upgrade to the Penny's brand. I wouldn't shoot for something as narrow as Lord and Taylor though-- more like Macy's say, or with a very strong "store within store" vibe to the various departments.
I don't think Penny's has any story to tell at all. The best they can hope for is "We're Penny's, which you may are may not remember or have every been inside of one, but we're nicer than we were." Even if they make it splendid, who's going to know or care?
The entire dept store model is not doing great. He may be thinking, if he can out-perform Macy's, actually build a much better store and experience than Macy's, he can win the broad middle dept store industry.
Nordstrom, Saks, Neiman Marcus are too expensive for most people. The broad region below them is poorly served today IMHO. The middle class probably doesn't buy clothes at Target. If JC Penny can be their best store, it can get a position that way.
I agree Sears is the classic brand. People love tools and classic American rugged products. Old American tools are considered porn now. There are other companies to cover Modern. Sears needs to cover tools, work clothes, home appliances, etc. They need to forget about selling televisions and high fashion clothes.
Who shops at JC Penny anymore? Walmart & Target crush them on the bottom end and places like Nordstom have the high end. JC Penny is in the middle, but I don't know....for me they just have a crappy brand name and I won't get over that unless he remakes over every single store and goes more upscale.
I understand Apple has more money than Target, but which is the more stable business... technology products (invented each year!) or groceries / dry goods... I would pick Target
Comments
He'll regret that decision!!!! What a loser!
In the event you were actually serious about your remark, why don't you give us the pleasure of comparing your bank account balance to his? You seem to have an insight as to what constitutes a loser...
He certainly seems to have made a shitload of dough working for Apple.
Are you making a value judgment?
The genius bar is what makes Apple retail stores so powerful, imo.
Love Steve, but I wonder if he can admit that Ron was correct. Actually he must have admitted it already as he let Ron do it.
I can see that Ron is looking for a new challenge. He really doesn't need more money. I could live quite comfortably off what he pulled in from Apple.
Good luck Ron and thanks so much!
What is he going to do? Make genius bars at JC Penny to help people color coordinate their clothing?
He certainly seems to have made a shitload of dough working for Apple. Hundreds of millions in cash for 10 years work is not too shabby.
FWIW: Actually Penny's has - for one thing - a fairly competent home decorating department who can help you put together packages of window treatments and much more (which I've used several times with good results). So one could see them becoming more service-oriented.
And I can see the attraction of running a whole corporate show to cap off a distinguished career - worth more on someone's scale of personal values than any financial inducements Apple could offer to keep him.
Assuming for some reason that Sears was even an option, it's just too easy. IMO, if he was looking for a challenge, he picked the right company.
I disagree, Sears is coasting if not wandering into the weeds. But the significant thing is that there's a lot to work with. Penny's would seem to be, at the moment, close to a generic blank slate, which is maybe what he was looking for. But the problem there is trying to build a brand in the already supersaturated and competitive general goods brick and mortar retail market.
You've got Costco and Walmart soaking up the dollars at the super price sensitive end, Target doing great business in the low to mid segment and folks like Macy's happy to anchor your next mall.
Penny's is just sort of middling meh. They may have some residually loyalty from an older demographic, but there's no growth to be had from that quarter. If anything, the Penny's name is a boat anchor at this point, suggesting to anyone under 40 a kind of fluorescent lit old people's hell.
So, yeah, a challenge, but maybe too much of a challenge IMO. Sears, on the other hand, could be rebooted by skipping the 70s associations and going straight to "classic." Simple, sturdy, good value, great services. I think Sears still has some of those associations, and it's something to build on.
If I were Johnson I'd probably jettison the "Penny's" name altogether and just start over-- which I suppose might be what he wants to do. I just don't think it's possible.
So, yeah, a challenge, but maybe too much of a challenge IMO. Sears, on the other hand, could be rebooted by skipping the 70s associations and going straight to "classic." Simple, sturdy, good value, great services. I think Sears still has some of those associations, and it's something to build on.
If I were Johnson I'd probably jettison the "Penny's" name altogether and just start over-- which I suppose might be what he wants to do. I just don't think it's possible.
I agree with what you say but Penny's does have 1,100 stores and some massive number of employees. Yes it needs a reboot. Yes it has a lack of an image. But people need clothes. I still agree with you that Sears has the ingredients for a winner. Maybe some other executive will make it happen. Penny's I dunno. It would be nice to think something positive but I am not sure what I can say about this.
IMO, department stores is the way forward. With high street shops closing and driven out of business by large out of town supermarkets, city centres need a large one roof solution to save them.
I don't see how. The economy is still pretty bad, people are driving less and spending less when they do go out. And is JC Penney going to somehow outperform Walmart?
So, yeah, a challenge, but maybe too much of a challenge IMO. Sears, on the other hand, could be rebooted by skipping the 70s associations and going straight to "classic." Simple, sturdy, good value, great services. I think Sears still has some of those associations, and it's something to build on.
I'd reboot Sears as "modern," not "classic." What I'd do is fund a massive internet campaign to compete directly with Amazon, but then use the leverage of the stores to allow pickups, returns via the stores, something Amazon can't compete with. I'd further use the stores to offer installations and other home services that Amazon can't compete with as only a warehouse entity.
I really have no idea about department stores though these days; take my input with a grain of salt.
The head of Apple's retail operations, Ron Johnson, is set to depart Apple and will become the new president and chief executive of retailer J.C. Penney.
If this friigin' idiot thinks that JC Penney is going to have more opportunities for him than Apple, then I say GOOD RIDDANCE!!!
After Steve rescued him from Target? Now he wants to go back to a discounter? He has no loyalty and even less sense.
He's a moron and a bum. GOOD RIDDANCE!
I'd reboot Sears as "modern," not "classic." What I'd do is fund a massive internet campaign to compete directly with Amazon, but then use the leverage of the stores to allow pickups, returns via the stores, something Amazon can't compete with. I'd further use the stores to offer installations and other home services that Amazon can't compete with as only a warehouse entity.
I'd hold out for some kind of classic thing, since I think that lines up with the current zeitgeist of simplification and belt tightening as "American values." But I completely agree that if they were going to do that it should include heavy emphasis on services.
Interestingly, at one time Sears was known for exactly that, but in recent years they've dropped the ball. They've contracted out to a lot of third parties for warranty and shipping services, so when something goes wrong and you expect Sears to stand behind "their" product you find out you're dealing with someone else.
Get the CEO to do frank spoken TV spots about how Sears is a part of American history and how they're committed to bringing back that level of service and support. Admit that they've strayed and explain how they're going to get it right. The pieces are there-- they have extensive in home appliance installation services, delivery, in-store pickup that involves something more than parking in a parking lot and hauling shit to your car, etc.
I don't think Penny's has any story to tell at all. The best they can hope for is "We're Penny's, which you may are may not remember or have every been inside of one, but we're nicer than we were." Even if they make it splendid, who's going to know or care?
The one thing JC Penny's has that Sears doesn't is a higher price point. This may not be entirely true in terms of product pricing or quality, but rather brand image. I can see JC Penny's becoming a lower class Lord and Taylor (that's the really expensive one, right?) that makes consumers feel luxurious while remaining budget-oriented. Kind of how people pay a little more money when they believe they're getting a better product, despite not needing any of the additional features.
I really have no idea about department stores though these days; take my input with a grain of salt.
Interesting. I don't know anyone who associates "Penny's" with much in the way of upscale, but that's probably because I live in the Bay Area and there aren't many around.
I must admit it would be unwise to count Johnson out-- Target and the Apple Store are two huge success stories, and they both benefit from a singular vision and focused execution. I kind of love the current Target, and it does a great job of positioning itself as "the Walmart you shop at if you don't mind paying a few cents more and have a shred of human dignity left."
So maybe he could do a similar upgrade to the Penny's brand. I wouldn't shoot for something as narrow as Lord and Taylor though-- more like Macy's say, or with a very strong "store within store" vibe to the various departments.
If this friigin' idiot thinks that JC Penney is going to have more opportunities for him than Apple, then I say GOOD RIDDANCE!!!
After Steve rescued him from Target? Now he wants to go back to a discounter? He has no loyalty and even less sense.
He's a moron and a bum. GOOD RIDDANCE!
Uh... look pooky... Target will probably be around in 2050 when Apple is just a memory.
Wow, really? He'd rather work for JC Penny than Apple?
That was my reaction!
I don't think Penny's has any story to tell at all. The best they can hope for is "We're Penny's, which you may are may not remember or have every been inside of one, but we're nicer than we were." Even if they make it splendid, who's going to know or care?
The entire dept store model is not doing great. He may be thinking, if he can out-perform Macy's, actually build a much better store and experience than Macy's, he can win the broad middle dept store industry.
Nordstrom, Saks, Neiman Marcus are too expensive for most people. The broad region below them is poorly served today IMHO. The middle class probably doesn't buy clothes at Target. If JC Penny can be their best store, it can get a position that way.
I agree Sears is the classic brand. People love tools and classic American rugged products. Old American tools are considered porn now. There are other companies to cover Modern. Sears needs to cover tools, work clothes, home appliances, etc. They need to forget about selling televisions and high fashion clothes.
Uh... look pooky... Target will probably be around in 2050 when Apple is just a memory.
Which is more moronic, the above post or the quoted text?
I... can't... decide...
Second, no racks. All clothes to be folded on wooden tables.
Third, each department has no more than 5 tables.
Fourth, logo becomes a JC shaped like a penny.
Fifth, moar chrome!
Sixth, jeans. Single color t-shirts. At least one attractive member of every race and gender on the floor.
Seventh, no fat chicks.
Eighth, leave and do the same thing to K-Mart in a decade.