its a decent question but even with the potential scape goat there is a plus side to "play"
the 33 stores are/will/or just have closed, so that will be reflected IMO as follows
2013 Q4 was on point with the last guidance and potentially a point or two higher. Revenue will be up because 33 stores means more products, however that means the profit to cost ratio will be effected to the downside.
2014 Q1 will see, again imo, what will be played as positive bottom line increase in profits due to cost cutting, while same store numbers increase slightly with the overall economy
2014 Q2 shows the fruits (if you will) of the cut off with the new revenue to profit model (i.e. number of stores and costs reduced) settles into what the company sees as a positive place for itself. They will be banking on overall year over year same store increase in sales and if they are good an increase in Q over Q as well.
I foresee a push from JCP and retailers to fill Q1 and Q2 with "the next holidays must have"
The game plan for the struggling retail giant is to cut the fat and minimize waste and focus on thriving and emerging markets
The retailer that lasts and wins will be the one that integrates e-commerce with in-store requirements, conditions or attachments.
As long as the world keeps spinning the JCP plan is simple and has a decent potential of succeeding (at the moment of course lol)
$JCP
