JCPenney to get rid of check-out counters and clerks

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.

Shoppers will be able to use self check-out machines, similar to those found in grocery stores.

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

I think this will be the beginning of the end for JCP. Sometimes I don't need help in a store like JCP but more often than not I do. However, I rarely ever need help in a grocery story. Bad move in my opinion.

Agree? Disagree?

Originally Posted by theguru

I think this will be the beginning of the end for JCP. Sometimes I don't need help in a store like JCP but more often than not I do. However, I rarely ever need help in a grocery story. Bad move in my opinion.

Agree? Disagree?

Considering that you can't order anything online from JCpenny's right now because there system won't allow you to pick colors, seems like typical pennys.

Originally Posted by theguru

I think this will be the beginning of the end for JCP. Sometimes I don't need help in a store like JCP but more often than not I do. However, I rarely ever need help in a grocery story. Bad move in my opinion.

Agree? Disagree?

If they take these clerks from behind the counter and put them on the floor to help shoppers, I think it is smart. You are right about needing help in a Penny's more so than a grocery. But the worst store for getting help is WalMart and they seem to be doing just fine.

Originally Posted by theguru

I think this will be the beginning of the end for JCP. Sometimes I don't need help in a store like JCP but more often than not I do. However, I rarely ever need help in a grocery story. Bad move in my opinion.

Agree? Disagree?

See, I would be just the opposite...especially at the checkout counter. That's because the grocery store and places like Lowe's, I often buy things (produce or nuts/bolts) that are sometimes priced by weight, or by unit but do not have a bar code on them. Not going to find anything like that at Penny's...so checkout would seem to be a breeze.

I can't imagine they won't be doing some test marketing with this before they go national with it. I'd have to assume they'll try this in single stores a few different markets first before they go all-in with this plan.

Originally Posted by Colonels_Wear_Blue

I can't imagine they won't be doing some test marketing with this before they go national with it. I'd have to assume they'll try this in single stores a few different markets first before they go all-in with this plan.

If you go to the Pennys in florence and you see the construction they have going on, those are for the self scan terminals.

I LOVE JCP! I actually like this idea.

Me and Rockmom agree. Armageddon is upon us.

Originally Posted by All Tell

Me and Rockmom agree. Armageddon is upon us.

We agree on the most critical issues....Trinity, UL and JCP. The rest is just incidental.

I hate the self scan check outs at Kroger, Walmart, Meijer. The one that puzzles me the most is the "really big super fast amazing checkout machine" at the Hebron Kroger that still takes 4 clerks to get you through the line.

JC Penny is not the same store anymore. Self checkout? That should be fun. When I do shop at Kroger and use self checkout ,there is never a clerk near the area to over ride the purchase if you are over 21. Walmart is really crazy. Four cashiers standing and talking together while we are trying to check out.

Will the machines offer gift boxes during the holidays?

Hope they invest loss prevention workers. This stuff really seems to enable to shoplifting?

Originally Posted by theguru

I think this will be the beginning of the end for JCP. Sometimes I don't need help in a store like JCP but more often than not I do. However, I rarely ever need help in a grocery story. Bad move in my opinion.

Agree? Disagree?

I agree. Most of the time when I go into a JCP type store, it's to buy a gift for someone and I can get pretty lost pretty fast in the women's/miss's departments. Nice to have someone help navigate me in the right direction.

Personally I really prefer to shop at Kohl's these days, but when it came to gift buying at department stores I still prefered JCP because their prices weren't outrageous and their customer service was very good.

Originally Posted by Voice of Reason

If they take these clerks from behind the counter and put them on the floor to help shoppers, I think it is smart. You are right about needing help in a Penny's more so than a grocery. But the worst store for getting help is WalMart and they seem to be doing just fine.

And how would that save them money? Don't see that happening. I'm sure these clerks will join the unemployment line.

Will they be putting those annoying hard plastic tags on everything that set off alarm if you walk out without them? That would help with shoplifting, but you still need the sales clerks to remove them.

Originally Posted by hoops5

Will they be putting those annoying hard plastic tags on everything that set off alarm if you walk out without them? That would help with shoplifting, but you still need the sales clerks to remove them.

If it is like some stores, each of those cards is individually tracked. After the item is paid for, that card is no longer "armed" and will not sound the alarm when you go out the door.

The technology for this used to be cost prohibitive. Not so much now. A guy I went to grade school with has a brother who bought a franchise of a small grocery chain. His store is in a rough part of town and shoplifting is just part of the business and is figured into the cost of product. For higher dollar and/or most often stolen items, he is considering implementing such a system.

Originally Posted by Bert

If it is like some stores, each of those cards is individually tracked. After the item is paid for, that card is no longer "armed" and will not sound the alarm when you go out the door.

The technology for this used to be cost prohibitive. Not so much now. A guy I went to grade school with has a brother who bought a franchise of a small grocery chain. His store is in a rough part of town and shoplifting is just part of the business and is figured into the cost of product. For higher dollar and/or most often stolen items, he is considering implementing such a system.

Agreed. But you still need someone to remove it. Even if it does not beep as you leave after you paid for it, if you remove it yourself it will ruin the clothing.

Originally Posted by hoops5

Agreed. But you still need someone to remove it. Even if it does not beep as you leave after you paid for it, if you remove it yourself it will ruin the clothing.

These can be removed and not damage the product. Similar to removing tags.