JCPenney to Sell Large Appliances

JCPenney (Plano, Texas) has announced that a pilot program to sell appliances in-store will be launched Feb. 1 in 22 select stores. The test stores will be located in San Antonio, San Diego, and Tampa, Fla. Each will showcase 90 to 150 kitchen and laundry appliance models in a dedicated area of the store. The company also plans to make major appliances available on its website later this spring.

While the company has not offered appliances in its stores for 30 years, it is testing the concept as a way to improve its home department sales and increase store traffic, reports Women’s Wear Daily. Experts have found that consumers are spending more on higher-ticket items (such as appliances) and spending less on apparel.