J.C. Penney is selling appliances in some of its stores nationwide to tap into that growing market.For the first time in three decades, J.C. Penney is selling major home appliances in many of its stores, including in Chattanooga, starting today.
The retailer is powering up its home business by putting an appliance showroom into nearly 500 stores. The move is driven by a successful pilot effort that validated the company’s return to appliance sales, according to the Plano, Texas-based company.
J.C. Penney has stores at Hamilton Place mall in Chattanooga and in Bradley Square Mall in Cleveland, Tenn. However, the Cleveland unit won’t have an appliance showroom at present, J.C. Penney said.
Chattanooga-based shopping center operator CBL & Associates Properties Inc., which operates Hamilton Place mall, has 61 J.C. Penney stores in its nationwide portfolio.
Stephen Lebovitz, CBL’s chief executive, said the retailer always has had a strong presence in the home area as it offers kitchen accessories, cookware and bedding, and adding appliances is a national extension to its product mix.