J.C. Penney Hires Home Depot, Target Executives to Boost Online Offerings

By Maria Armental 

J.C. Penney Co. Inc. has hired executives from Home Depot Inc. and Target Corp. to strengthen its online offerings.

Michael Amend--formerly Home Depot's vice president of online, mobile and omnichannel--will join J.C. Penney on Tuesday as executive vice president of omnichannel.

Mike Robbins, formerly Target's senior vice president of global supply chain, will take on a similar post at J.C. Penney on Aug. 10.

The latest management appointment comes as Marvin Ellison--a veteran of both retailers-- took over as J.C. Penney's new chief executive on Aug. 1, succeeding Myron "Mike" Ullman III. Mr. Ullman is staying on at J.C. Penney as executive chairman.

J.C. Penney is rebounding from a calamitous overhaul under pressure from activist investors. In 2014, it reported a 3% sales increase, following years of declines, including a nearly 25% drop in 2012.

For the three months ended May 2, the most recent results available, sales rose 2% from the year-earlier period to $2.86 billion. Still, sales are about $1 billion less than their level four years earlier.

The Plano, Texas, retailer doesn't break up in-store and online sales.

Shares, up 26% this year, gained three cents in late trading to $8.20.

Write to Maria Armental at [e-mail]

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