JCPenney has been in business since 1902. It serves customers at approximately 840 stores across the United States and Puerto Rico, and online at jcp.com. Its operations are supported by a variety of U.S. and internationally based support facilities, including its home office in Plano, Texas.

JCPenney has undergone several transformations over its more than 100 years in business. In 1963, it issued its first mail order catalog, influencing the way Americans would shop for decades. And then in 1994, JPenney evolved again as one of the first national retailers to embrace e-commerce by launching jcp.com. Today JCPenney stores are mainly located in shopping malls and do a large amount of business online.

In recent years JCPenney has faced a slew of financial issues as the retail industry has changed rapidly. In May 2020 JCPenney filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced that it would close 242 stores. In September 2020, the retail chain was purchased by two large property groups. Its stores and e-commerce site are operating as usual.

JCPenney sells clothing, shoes, accessories and household items. Its website also sells a large range of jewelry, salon items, and Sephora Beauty products. Customers should be aware that its stores vary in their offerings. Not all stores feature add-ons such as their optical departments, photography studios, JCP Salon, and Sephora Beauty.

The fashion industry is responsible for 10 percent of humanity’s carbon emissions each year, and this impact is growing. JCPenney is one of the largest purchasers of clothing, shoes, accessories and household items to be sold in the United States and Puerto Rico and is dedicated to ethical and environmentally friendly sourcing for the goods it sells. Customers can review information related to JCPenney’s standards on its website.

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The Good

Clothing Competitively Priced
More Than 100 Years of Retail Experience
Free Shipping Offered on Orders Over $49

Clothing Competitively Priced

JCPenney, as one of the most experienced clothing retailer, provides its customers with great low prices for quality merchandise. For example, tuxedos that could cost hundreds of dollars from other online clothing wholesalers can be purchased for far less. You are able to purchase nice tuxedos, especially the Stafford brand, near rental prices. This is a great option for a customer who might not have big bucks to spend on a prom, wedding, or other special occasion. There are lots of options for items beyond clothing. Besides men, women, children, and baby clothing products, there are also bed and bath products, furniture, and other items for around the home.

More Than 100 Years of Retail Experience

Being in business for several decades has benefited JCPenney throughout its transition to the online store shopping world. The company regularly responds to customer complaints and works on repairing the client-company relationship when a poor customer experience has occurred. Because of this, JCPenney has an excellent customer service reputation. The company has consistently responded to customer complaints politely, timely, and worked effectively to fix issues the right way.

Free Shipping Offered on Orders Over $49

JCPenney offers a number of different shipping options, including standard (three to five business days), premium (three business days), express (one or two business days). When shopping online, free shipping is offered for orders that total over $49. Orders that qualify for free shipping are shipped via its Standard Delivery 3–5 business day method. Eligible customers must select this option in checkout in order to receive free shipping. Free shipping excludes truck-delivered items and may also exclude select manufacturer delivered items based on participation.

There is also the option of ordering something online and then picking it up at a JCPenney Store. JCPenney stores offer curbside pick up as well. Customers must place orders by 3 p.m. for free pickup at their local store. This makes getting your item relatively easy and fast.

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The Bad

Shipping and Delivery Issues
Restocking Fees
Review Tool

Shipping and Delivery Issues

JCPenney’s online reviews include many complaints regarding shipping and receiving issues. Some complaints regarded the slow shipping of certain items. Complaints like these usually indicate a pattern of problems with inventory and distribution center processes, and the complaint resolutions made it sound like JCPenney is working on this.

Restocking Fees

There are problems involving restocking fees for some certain products. For example, there is a restocking fee for returning furniture. Customers should be able to return unused furniture without a restocking fee if they find that it wasn't a good fit for them. Smaller items, like clothes, don't have as many issues with this however.

Review Tool

Not very many customers used the online review tool for JCPenney products. It would enhance the shopping experience if information about products that customers have purchased was readily available on the site; this information helps customers determine whether or not a product is a good fit for them.

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The Bottom Line

Overall, we definitely recommend JCPenney to those shopping for low-end to mid-range priced clothing. Although the company has experienced a slight decline due to the disappearance of the catalog industry, we found that they have a great selection of clothes online. One of the nice things about JCPenney is that you can purchase regular products like special occasion dresses or tuxedos for close to their rental prices.

We also liked that JCPenney has done a great job with customer service. We found that the company was significantly beating Nordstrom when it came to keeping customers happy. Also, the rewards program is not "exclusive." You do have to spend a certain amount of money at each service level in the rewards program on the store credit card, but there are many great perks with the rewards program.

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User Reviews

Star Rating

3.9

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323 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

43%

4 grade

28%

3 grade

13%

2 grade

1 grade

11%

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