Check-out Clerks; who needs them?

[alaskaguy]

Struggling retailer JCPenney is making some big changes that will affect customers and its clerks. The store is getting rid of its check-out counters.

CEO Ron Johnson said it will remove check-out counters in stores and replace them with a system that won't require clerks. It's all part of an effort to return the department store chain to profitability.

The future?

JCPenney to get rid of check-out counters and clerks, use self check-out machines and RFID chips

[JP4CY]

JCP needs to lower the inventory. It seems like every time I go into one there is just so much stuff everywhere. I can't walk thru the tie areas and not run into tables, etc.
They should get rid of all the nick nack garbage they sell and stick to clothes.

[00clone]

The future?

JCPenney to get rid of check-out counters and clerks, use self check-out machines and RFID chips

Hmmm, they're going to have to make other changes. My unscientific observation is that it's mostly older folks shopping at JCP, and they're NOT going to get the self serve thing. Will only hasten the demise if they don't attract younger shoppers.

[Isuska]

As a 24 year old I love penneys for jeans and polos to wear to work.

Pretty much just waiting for the going out of business sale so I can stock up

[Daserop]

The Pennies at Westdale mall in Cedar Rapids is literally half empty. It is pretty sad.

[Tank]

No check out clerks works for all the Apple stores. I love that app on my iPhone that I can just click the bar code and be charged on my Apple account.

[F5cy]

The future?

JCPenney to get rid of check-out counters and clerks, use self check-out machines and RFID chips

About 7 years ago, I attended a conference that was focused on the future of retailing. The CEO of a very major US retailer said that within 10-15 years (from then) he envisioned products being able to be taken off the shelves by customers, put into bags and then walked out of the store without even needing to scan any of the items. Assuming you have an account with the store, it would be billed directly to you as you passed the "point of purchase". All via RFID technology. As a big security nut, this idea drives me crazy.

I also can't foresee the general public being all that excited about more self-checkout type situations. Just visit a wal-mart at a busy time and see the express lanes stacked 10 people deep in line while the self-checkout person tries to persuade people over to their checkouts.

JCP would almost be better off just shutting their stores and (attempt to) become the zappos of clothing. I would imagine that the demographic of most of their customers are either extremely willing to buy things online or very unwilling to shop in a store where clerks aren't around. Moms & older folks. Not much of a happy medium there.

[alarson]

I also can't foresee the general public being all that excited about more self-checkout type situations. Just visit a wal-mart at a busy time and see the express lanes stacked 10 people deep in line while the self-checkout person tries to persuade people over to their checkouts.

A lot of that is because the systems dont work very well. If it can be painless and quicker than a regular checker (which rfid would be), people will use it.

Also... walmart is a bit less... sophisticated.. crowd often.

[ISUAlum2002]

I also can't foresee the general public being all that excited about more self-checkout type situations. Just visit a wal-mart at a busy time and see the express lanes stacked 10 people deep in line while the self-checkout person tries to persuade people over to their checkouts.

I dunno....I don't have to be persuaded over to the self-checkouts at Walmart.....I practically run to them if I see one open. I can check out my items and get the payment done much faster than any employee there can.

[terryk]

A lot of that is because the systems dont work very well. If it can be painless and quicker than a regular checker (which rfid would be), people will use it.

Also... walmart is a bit less... sophisticated.. crowd often.

if you are stupid enough to give dollars to walsucks, your deserve to stand in line for hours with hok inbreds.

[Lateralus]

I worked retail and most people still barely know how to work their debit cards.

[acgclone]

Innovation happens. RFID in retail is just a matter of when. I would be surprised however if JC Penny is the company that pioneers this technology and ends up experiencing success though.

[klamath632]

I can't believe nobody has asked yet that if this is the future of retail, where will all the Hawk graduates find employment?

[Kitkat]

If I recall rightly, Penney was making money when Johnson took over, and some analysts now think he is the problem, not the solution. About self-checking: fine, if you like it. But it does not work well everywhere; for ex., in grocery stores because of fresh products, mainly fruits and veggies, which do not have bar codes on them. Also, consider that the stores are trying to shift work from them to you, the customer. Do you get a discount for doing the checking out yourself? Doubt that will ever happen.

[acgclone]

If I recall rightly, Penney was making money when Johnson took over, and some analysts now think he is the problem, not the solution. About self-checking: fine, if you like it. But it does not work well everywhere; for ex., in grocery stores because of fresh products, mainly fruits and veggies, which do not have bar codes on them. Also, consider that the stores are trying to shift work from them to you, the customer. Do you get a discount for doing the checking out yourself? Doubt that will ever happen.

Innovation generally will help reduce costs for companies and therefore can help keep prices lower.

If they can save a significant amount of money on labor, they can be more price competitive against competitors that do not have that technology in place.