The JCPenney store at the Maine Mall will unveil its newest product line Friday: appliances.
The 115-year-old department store chain rolled out appliances at 500 of its stores last year as a test to see whether shoppers would respond. The pilot program was successful enough that the retailer is planning to extend it to another 100 stores this spring, including the store in South Portland.
“JCPenney has renovated its home department to accommodate a 1,000-square-foot major appliance showroom featuring refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, washers and dryers from brand names including Samsung, LG and GE,” said a company release announcing the renovation.
JCPenney and other bricks-and-mortar retailers have been struggling to shore up revenues as more shoppers turn to online retailers to buy wares. On Monday, JCPenney stock fell 8 percent after lackluster first quarter earnings were released Friday. Losses increased from $68 million last year to $180 million in the first quarter of this year.
Additionally, the company reported that same-store sales — a strong indicator of a retailer’s health — fell 3.5 percent versus a year ago.
Other retailers such as Macy’s, Kohl’s and Sears have also seen their share prices decline this year.
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