JCPenney Named Top Department Store In USA Today Poll

JCPenney has been named the best department store in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for the second straight year. 

“This award reaffirms our confidence in our reinvestment progress – everything we have worked toward is coming together and we’re proud consumers are taking notice,” said Marc Rosen, JCPenney’s CEO. 

Nominees for this category were chosen by a panel of editors from USA Today 10Best, and voting was open to the public for four weeks. The news outlet’s 10Best’s mission is to provide unbiased and invaluable insights to help readers make the most of their free time across various categories from vacation spots to dining recommendations to shopping destinations and more. 

Click here to see the full list of USA Today 10Best Department Stores.

Rounding out the Top 10 (in order) are Belk, Macy’s, Kohl’s, Von Maur, Burlington, Nordstrom, Target, Boscov’s, and Walmart. 

The top ranking for JCPenney in the USA Today poll comes as the department store continues to rebound following several challenging years. Private and exclusive brands have been front and center for the department store as the retailer has launched several new lines in apparel and home goods. 

Store Brands recently named JCPenney a 2025 Retailer To Watch. 

In addition to its growing private label assortment, Additionally, the retailer continues investing in the digital side of the business. With more consumers embracing online shopping, the retailer has ramped up its e-commerce capabilities to offer a seamless shopping experience across platforms. Its integration of new technologies, like enhanced mobile apps, curbside pickup, and improved personalization through data analytics, is aimed at attracting a younger, tech-savvy audience.