What happened
Shares of J.C. Penney (JCPN.Q) dropped as much as 11.3% Tuesday morning after the retailer released a disappointing first-quarter report that included weak same-store sales and a net loss that nearly doubled. As of 12:40 p.m. EDT, the stock was down 7.8%.
So what
Total revenue decreased 4.3% to $2.56 billion, in line with analysts' estimates, but same-store sales -- data from stores that have been open for at least 12 months -- fell 5.5% during the first quarter. That same-store sales drop marked the company's sixth straight quarterly decline and was worse than analysts' estimates calling for a 4.21% decrease. J.C. Penney's net loss almost doubled to $154 million, or $0.48 per share, and when adjusted for one-time items, its loss of $0.46 per share was worse than analysts' estimates of a $0.38-per-share loss.
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CEO Jill Soltau reiterated that the turnaround plan is focused on meeting consumer demands. "We are working to reestablish the fundamentals of retail at JCPenney, and at the same time, we are building capabilities to satisfy the wants and expectations of our customers. In everything we do, we are putting the customer at the center," Soltau said in the press release.
Now what
The harsh truth is that J.C. Penney is currently a weak operator in an intensely competitive industry, and the stock's 86% decline over the past three years reflects its struggle to turn its business around. Management is committed to drawing up a comprehensive long-term strategy, which it plans to unveil in the coming months, and the company continues to put together a talented team of retail experts to help accomplish its long-term goals, but serious headwinds, risks, and challenges remain.
