In the interest of full disclosure, I must mention that a "child of mine" works for the Penney's Distribution Center in the Kansas City area. We have been hearing for months about the changes coming down the pike there. I know that many of us won't have an outlet store in our area, but I decided to start there before I visited the local department store in a mall. I was interested to see if the new approach to pricing had trickled down to the outlets as well.
Immediately inside the doors of this stand-alone store, a shopper enters the "dress clothes" section of the store. I was impressed to find that women's clothing of all sizes was grouped together here. And I was surprised to see that some of the brands I've purchased in the thrifts are a J.C. Penney brand. Previously, the only Penney brand I'd been aware of was St. John's Bay.
The intimates department similarly grouped women's clothing of all sizes together. I had not known about the Delta Burke line of intimates and I was surprised to find padded panties, a product I'm sure my husband thinks I need. Selection in the accessories department was sparse, but I found a zippered bag that I thought would be an excellent thing to have while traveling. And the frog brooch reminded me of Debbie at She Accessorizes Well.
I may have to go back for the silk dress. DH was waiting in the car as I snapped my photos of the "legendary" sale aisle. I have heard that items on this rack on better priced than the thrift stores and I found this to be true, so long as you are shopping for simple tees and blouses than you are willing to steam or iron.
A shoe sale was underway the day I visited. The merchandise was in disarray and the aisles were packed, but you don't know how much I wanted those turquoise espadrilles to be in my size. I won't know until I visit the Mall, a first for this project, how the prices actually compare. So long as a shopper is willing to apply an iron, there ARE excellent bargains to be found here.
I know that I am sorely behind on my commenting (178 posts in my Google Reader!). That and beginning our annual taxes is this weekend's project. Is there any of this merchandise that catches your eye?
I like the new pricing idea a lot. I don't use credit and had gotten tired of all the stores giving extra discouts to customers charging on their cards. And never having the right coupons that save on what I am buying. I think the Ellen ads on TV are genius, too. Even my sons gets a laugh out of them.
ReplyDeleteBeryl--I do have one store card, which I reveal in due time...but like you, even when I receive the discounts I'm never sure I'm getting the BEST discount.
DeleteI felt my anxiety rising as I watched the video. No way, could I ever enter a shop like the one shown. Just no way.
ReplyDeleteEverything seemed to be neatly in order, but there was too much of the same thing, and the things looked machine manufactured as they naturally are.
I´d be careful buying silk so cheap, however nice it might seem.
This was a welcome tour for me. Never visited an outlet before - and after this experience, most certainly ever will.
P.S. Those padded undies - do such really exist?
Mette--Are there any big box stores of this type in Finland? I did finger the silk on the dress and it seemed strangely thick. I worried about the cut of the dress as my hips are just a little bigger for a junior size. The padded panties DO exist! (though I've never worn them)
DeleteTerri, when in doubt - don´t ( the silk ).
DeletePerhaps there are some box stores, at least, the malls look like boxes, some of them.
But, perhaps I, for psychological reasons, refuse to see/ recognize them ; ).
I've heard of JC Penneys, I believe they're part of the same company as Primark. I Googled their ethical policy to understand the reason why the clothes were so cheap:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/background-sweatshops
No matter how cheap Primark sell their clothes for I'd rather go without than live with the guilt. x
Vix--Somewhere in my search for info on JCPenney's I came across something that said the US version is NOT the same as what Primark is descended from in the UK. In the material I've read on this US mid-level retailer, I found no complaints about sweatshop labor, but you're right that the prices do give an ethical shopper pause.
DeleteYears ago Penny's bought out many Woodward&Lothrop sites in the DC area so I've had one around the center where I grocery shop. My store is well-managed and I stop in when I'm shopping for something. I like the Liz Clairborne brand and they've picked that up.
ReplyDeleteI've been seeing ads with Penny's new marketing. I do not like pouring through the ad pages looking for coupons and then hunting down the right items at the right time of day to apply my coupon. Like Beryl I try to shop on a cash basis so deals that require a special credit card aren't part of my money management scheme.
I hope their plan works out but there are a lot of people who enjoy the coupon/game aspects of other types of marketing.
RoseAG--I am curious to see what the new marketing is like in the actual retail store, which I have yet to visit. I know at our house we've gradually stopped buying the Sunday paper because the bulk of it was taken up by these ads and coupons, and I was reading most of my news online. I want their new scheme to work too.
DeleteI think JC Penney's re-launch definitely brings up an interesting phenomenon in shopping - the coupon game, as Rose put it. I worked for Kohl's when I was in college, and as you might know, they have similar marketing ploys. They always had their "biggest sale ever" on Saturdays (like EVERY Saturday), then had pretty much the same sale on Wednesdays. And I always felt bad for anyone who bought anything while it wasn't on sale, and would advise them to come back for an adjustment a few days later, as their items would almost surely be on sale. Most stores do have that policy, that they'll adjust your price if it drops within a week or two of purchasing, but they count on people to not return to get a few bucks back. I think JCP is smart to point this all out, admit they've been doing this for years, and just have lower prices all the time. I hope that this helps them re-brand and bounce back.
ReplyDeleteAnne--your comment made me laugh. The last purchase I made at Kohl's was for a pair of ShapeUps shoes. I had a $10 coupon but did not visit on a sale day. The price of the shoes hurt and I would not have purchased them if DH hadn't insisted. I don't think I've ever gone back for a lower price...even when I thought I could probably have received one. I really dislike all that hassle...and I'm willing to pay to avoid it.
DeleteWhile I, personally, enjoy the coupon game, I do understand that it's pretty much a gimmick. And I don't like always having to put things on the store card (I usually go back and pay it in cash the next time I pass by the store!). It will be interesting to see if the no-coupon idea catches on and if other retailers follow.
ReplyDeleteThat outlet looks like a fun place to shop though maybe a bit overwhelming. Several items looked promising to me, but I never know anything until I touch the fabric! I'm picky that way. Thanks for the tour!
Anne/FrumpFactor--I spend coupons when I have them, but for most purchases under $100, I too try to spend cash. I like touching the fabric too, but have grown so used to thrift stores that ALL retailers are slightly intimidating to me.
DeleteThe place looks overwhelming, and my social anxiety is starting to rumble! But there are some interesting items, like the colorful jeans -- I would not have to wait for thrift store shopping to experiment with them, at these prices.
ReplyDeletePatti--I just finished reading an excellent book entitled "Social Anxiety" by Alain de Botton! The eggplant colored jeans gave me pause, as it is a color I don't currently own in a jean.
DeleteThis time I was prepared and jotted down my likes: the swimsuit coverups, which I'd wear as a real dress or top, NOT as a "coverup." The padded panties are fabulous!! - just for the laugh. I have a Bumpit hair thing already, it didn't work on my hair. I looked horrid. I also liked the plaid leggings and those baby blue high-tops you had your eyes on.
ReplyDeleteThe store does look overwhelming and I still prefer to thrift, but I like the vicarious thrill of your tours. Thanks!
Melanie--last summer, I nearly bought a cover-up to wear as a gown in a wedding! It might be fun to purchase a pair of the padded panties and do a post...just to see if anyone notices the difference. YOU could get away with the plaid leggings, but I wear my solid color ones so seldom, I wouldn't even try. I prefer thrifting too.
DeleteI think the outlet looks better than the store itself. I am really fed up with the way JCP's treats plus-size customers. Here the plus area is upstairs in the far back corner along with maternity wear. I have to say the prices are better than they were, but the mdse isn't.
ReplyDeleteOh, I almost forgot, thanks for the mention and I would've loved that sweet little frog!
DeleteDebbi--I will remember to keep this plus-sized complaint in mind when I visit the retail store. This outlet definitely mixed up all sizes in each department and I liked that, so that no shopper felt exiled.
Deletei love it it´s perfect.
ReplyDeleteClara--Welcome to Rags! What is perfect?
DeleteLoving the cover up...
ReplyDeleteI haven't been in a jcPennys for a long time, it will be interesting to find out how the new approach works.
Bella--I hadn't been in a Penney's for a while either. DH buys a long-sleeved undershirt there about once a year or so. I read somewhere that the full effect of the new approach won't be in place until August, so my visit to the full retail store may not reveal the entire marketing effort just yet.
DeleteOh dear, I cannot bear stores like these... packed with shoppers? what a nightmare. I've found a new blog via the Waves that I think you might enjoy... http://emptyemptor.com/
ReplyDeleteCarolyn--Sadly, this seems to be the American way. I went without any knowledge of the sale and simply coped with what I encountered. Thanks for mentioning emptyemptor; I've added it to my reader.
DeleteJcPennys has the cutest color block flats for work! Just came out. Great site! I smiled when I read the name of your blog. Very original!
ReplyDeleteSarah--I think I saw one pair of the color block flats, but as I said, the shoes that were left were fairly picked over. And thanks for the compliment. Hope you come to visit again soon.
DeleteHmmm... sorry to say that not much caught my eye, the yellow and orange dresses maybe. I don't need extra padding in my knickers, thank you, have enough of my very own, ha!
ReplyDeleteI don't really like outlet shops much (not that I go in them really) but it seems a very soulless shopping experience. But cheap, definitely cheap, so I guess it's always worth a rummage. xx
Curtise--Much of American shopping at the levels I've described to date IS soulless, but it is what many people can afford...sad as that is to say. Wonder what it is that gives shopping soul?
DeleteI think I need to locate the nearest Penney's outlet, haven't been there in YEARS....but I am NOT looking for the padded panties. :-)
ReplyDeleteI actually think a pair of padded panties might be great fun!
Deletei don't go to JC Penneys very often but whenever i do i'm impressed with their selection. also their magazine ads are pretty fab. i think they have some really good deals and i really like their i heart ronson and mango brands!
ReplyDeletehttp://spinning-threads.blogspot.com
After reading Mette's comment I decided not to watch the video. Retail shopping is never a good experience for me but outlet shopping is pure hell. I still have bad memories of shopping at JC Penneys as a kid. I hated the synthetic fabrics.
ReplyDeletePenney's Outlets didn't exist (or I didn't know about them) when I lived in the US. It looks a lot like TK Maxx here (or is it TJ? One is in the US the other in the UK - same shop, I'm sure). It would be interesting to see what you think about the quality of this merchandise once you've been to the higher-end stores. Mind, you'll have found some really good quality items in your thrifting already. I can cope with ironing, but if the quality is really poor, even an iron doesn't help much - Bill had a dress shirt that was a lovely stripe pattern, but the fabric was impossible to tame properly. It is now crafting material!
ReplyDelete