VMSD - November 2011 - (Page 4)

FE FROM THE EDITOR A Penney for Your Thoughts Will JCPenney’s dynamic duo bring new life to department stores? 11262 Cornell Park Drive Cincinnati, OH 45242 P: 513.421.2050 | F: 513.421.5144 vmsd@stmediagroup.com | VMSD.com When you think of the most successful retailers of the last decade, Target and Apple surely come to mind. JCPenney? Probably not. Well, that may all soon change. In 2011, a year in which our industry has gingerly climbed its way out of a recession and back into “Go!” mode, the department store retailer is sending out shock waves with some surprising executive appointments. First, it was the announcement this summer that the Plano, Texasbased company hired Apple senior vp Ron Johnson as its new ceo (effective November 1). A few months later, we got the news that Michael Francis, Target’s chief merchandising officer, was coming aboard as president. Former Target and Apple masterminds at JCPenney! In the retail world, can you ask for better mojo? Johnson was the driving force behind Apple’s successful foray into retail. Francis’ 25-year career started at Marshall Field’s State Street flagship before taking him to the discount chain where he’s credited with amplifying the retailer’s fun, hip image. Penney’s new executive team has many analysts speculating on its future. Will it be reborn as a hip department store targeting upscale shoppers or will it attempt to become a destination for discount shopping? Publicly, Penney’s Johnson said, “[Francis’] ability to innovate and his deep understanding of the industry will be invaluable as we set out to transform JCPenney into America’s favorite store.” That leaves a lot of room for interpretation. But the buzz words associated with both these men’s careers – fun, hip, experiential, strong brand stories – haven’t applied to JCPenney in a while. My hope is that the new duo gives a shot in the arm to the lagging department store sector. Imagine a reinvented Penney’s setting off a new direction of change throughout the entire retail landscape that takes it from ho-hum to wowza – much like Target and Apple did back in the day. It almost seems too big a wish. And yet, here’s hoping that the Johnson/Francis team put Penney’s – and department stores in general – on the retail map again. EDITORIAL Editor Anne DiNardo anne.dinardo@stmediagroup.com Senior Art Director Kimberly Pegram kim.pegram@stmediagroup.com Assistant Editor Whitney Harrod whitney.harrod@stmediagroup.com Editor at Large Steve Kaufman steve.kaufman@stmediagroup.com New York Editor Eric Feigenbaum European Editor John Ryan, London SALES Publisher U.S. / Canada Murray Kasmenn murray.kasmenn@stmediagroup.com P: 770.578.2577 Business Development Manager International Patricia Iannelli patricia.iannelli@stmediagroup.com Via G. Rossini 16, 21100 Varese, Italy P: +39.0332.240285 C O R P O R AT E President Tedd Swormstedt Design Group Director Kristin D. Zeit Audience Development Director Christine Baloga Production Coordinator Keri Harper Director of Book Division Mark Kissling Reprint Information 800-925-1110, ext. 399 SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES P.O. Box 1060 / Skokie, IL 60076 P: (847) 763-4938 / F: (847) 763-9030 VMSD@halldata.com VMSD welcomes these members to its Editorial Advisory Board: GABRIELLE ROSI Senior Design Coordinator Whole Foods Market VALERIE WAHNA Creative Design Manager Meijer 4 NOVEMBER 2011 | vmsd.com http://www.VMSD.com http://www.vmsd.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of VMSD - November 2011

VMSD - November 2011
Contents
From the Editor
VMSD Editorial Advisory Board
The Goods
A Peak Experience
21st Century Facelift
New York’s Fifth Dimension
Looking Sharp
iWant
Preview
Showroom
Showroom
Ad Index
Checking Out

VMSD - November 2011