Strengths: J.C. Penney will be offering complimentary services with the addition of the “Town Square” into all J.C. Penney stores. Already they have been offering free children's haircuts every Sunday which has drawn much customer interest to the company. The new unique layout of the stores that Ron Johnson is pushing through will make the stores easier to navigate through. Customers will also have a unique experience from any other store with the additions of “Town Squares” and “Main Streets” into all stores. J.C. Penney is an old company and so people are familiar it, which will give it a step up when advertising its new retailing approach. With consistent prices, J.C. Penney will not lose as much money on the extreme sales that would occur very often with the old retailing strategy. Consistent pricing has simplified things on the consumer side, so customers are more willing to come in to the store and buy something instead of waiting for rock-bottom prices. J.C. Penney's choice of new spokeswoman Ellen DeGeneres will help promote the company more as DeGeneres is a very popular talk show host which many Americans watch.
Weaknesses: Before the new retailing strategy J.C. Penney would have constant sales on most items. Now with consistent prices items are reduced in price infrequently which might scare off customers who came for the extremely low sales prices. The new unique layout which is unlike any other store might confuse customers because they are not used to such a radical new design. Several years will be needed to completely re-do every J.C Penney around the country. During this time sales will drop due to people not being reached with advertising about the new sales approach. Sales will also be lower until brand loyalty to the new brands brought in has been established. Customers have been alienated due to prices being raised and sales being reduced. The elimination of coupons has also turned many customers away from J.C Penney.