1. Retail sector. The retail industry is as old as human civilization, and it's worth noting that it is much more amenable to change than most industries. Over the past two decades, numerous changes have occurred in the retail industry. The retail industry dates back to the early 1800s, when the first corner store sold common household items and grocery staples. As the name says, the corner store was just that, stores strategically placed on the corners of high foot traffic areas for easy access. As society began to grow, so did the need for new consumer goods and how a consumer could achieve those goods. Department stores became popular simply because they were able to offer an assortment of categories and a variety of items within those categories, all under one roof. The first two cities to begin developing large-scale department stores were New York and Chicago. The first building offering a variety of goods at fixed prices shipped from Europe was built in New York in 1846. Department stores abandoned the idea of ​​barter, and all items sold were considered fixed. However, department stores offered discounts and coupons as a way to attract customers. In 1862, the largest department store in New York City was built during this time. The department store occupied an entire city block with eight floors and nineteen departments of clothing, furnishing materials, carpets, fine china, toys and sporting equipment. All these objects were arranged around a central glass-covered courtyard. Glass windows quickly became a staple in department store design. Window shopping was introduced and quickly all department stores had floor to ceiling windows advertising what was new... middle of paper... Analysis T JC Pennyi. Force1. Products: JC Penny's is known for brand recognition2. Location: Nationally consolidated locations3. Price: focus on low cost4. Promotion: Rewards Program ii. Weakness1. Change in business strategies2. Lack of coupons iii. Opportunities1. Exploring niche markets iv. Threat1. Consumer spending habits. One area that JC Penny did well was in establishing strong brand awareness.6. Recommendations I would recommend Kohl's continue to focus on omnichannel retail. This market is rapidly evolving and consumers are becoming more and more technologically savvy. Computers, mobile phones, tablets and other similar devices are progressively becoming an increasingly important aspect of the shopping experience. Additionally, the Internet and other new technologies facilitate competitive entry and comparison shopping.