Best Buy Co., Inc. (BBY), J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (JCP), and Three Companies Returning to Their Roots

As Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) focuses on computers and mobile devices — which had a 13% increase in comparable sales last quarter — the company should finally move into the new sales model. The presence of Schulze and Anderson will help that transition happen smoothly and effectively.

J.C. Penney brings up the rear
If only it were that pleasant at J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE:JCP). Unfortunately, the return of Mike Ullman to the CEO position is less a move to increase stability and more an attempt to regain some of the glory lost under Ron Johnson’s watch. With comparable sales down over 30% in-store and online last quarter, J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE:JCP) is in a rough spot, and a return to Ullman may not be enough to change that.

The last year and a half has seen the end of sales and coupons, the return of sales and coupons, and the introduction of shops-within-a-store. While some of those shops have been successful, it seems likely that Ullman will ultimately phase them out, adding even more turbulence to the J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE:JCP) business.

Of the three companies returning to their roots, I have the most hope for Barnes & Noble, which should be able to free itself from its Nook obsession if Riggio has his way. J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE:JCP) is clearly in the worst position, and even a turnaround might not save the brand now. Sometimes, you just can’t get things back to how they used to be.

The article 3 Companies Returning to Their Roots originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Andrew Marder.

Fool contributor Andrew Marder has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of Microsoft.

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