Victoria's Secret, J. C. Penny holiday sales weak

Mall-based retailers J.C. Penney, Kohl’s and Victoria’s Secret parent reported sales declines for the holiday season, underscoring continued challenges ahead from online rivals and other low-price competitors.

The weak results come as overall retail sales are expected to have increased for the holidays, boosted by a strong economy. 

J.C. Penney, which is trying to claw its way back from a disastrous reinvention plan back in 2012, says sales at stores opened at least a year dropped by 7.5 percent for the November and December period. Adjusted results, including the impact of the chain’s exit from major appliances and furniture at its stores, decreased by 5.3 percent.

Penney’s CEO Jill Soltau, who joined the company in October 2018, jettisoned major appliances that were weighing down operating profits. That reversed the strategy of her predecessor, Marvin Ellison, who brought appliances to the showroom floor in an attempt to capitalize on the troubles of another ailing department store, Sears. Soltau turned the company’s focus back to women’s clothing and goods for the home like towels and bed sheets, which carry higher profit margins. Furniture is still available, but only online.

Still, a lot more needs to be done to get shoppers back.

“Overall, the holiday figures underline the enormity of the task facing (J.C. Penney) as it enters 2020,” said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail, a research firm. “This is a make or break year for the company and, sadly, these latest numbers suggest things will be more break than make.”

Kohl’s posted a 0.2 percent decline despite a number of new initiatives launched under Cchief Executive, Michelle Gass. As of last summer, the Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin-based department store chain has been accepting Amazon.com returns at all 1,100 stores. Customers can visit a local Kohl’s store and return eligible Amazon items without a box or label. The company has said it has seen increased customer traffic as a result of this move.

Kohl’s also launched exclusive brands ahead of the holidays including Elizabeth and James from celebrities Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen, as well as Scott Living, a home collection.

At L Brands, which operates Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works, the figure dropped by 3 percent. Business was dragged down by Victoria’s Secret, which suffered a 12 percent drop in same-store sales.

In comparison, Bath & Body Works enjoyed a 9 percent increase.

L Brands also cut its fourth-quarter profit outlook, saying that it expects to report earnings per share of US$1.85. It had previously said that it would earn US$2 per share in the quarter.-AP