2014 layoffs were mainly in IT when they were outsourced. Planned by Ed (CIO), R. Schaffer, Kristie Copeland. They all came from JC Penny. Most of IT got outsourced to Infosys. Same thing was done when Ed was there before he got let go from JC Penny.
2017 seems to more focused on the Business and Globally.
To the "mate" that commented that people we're let go were genius ? Let me tell you, the ones that we're let go don't deserve it and the ones that are still there mainly VPs and Directors are no better at all. They don't deserve to stay. The org chart was finally out. The ones that still exist are the ones who are incapable but shared a common character as they kiss a--. They are just puppets. It is NOT a pure restructure, it's a purge, it's political. Get it?!
Oh the bitter hearts. Why comment "mate"?
And all the people who were let go are geniuses ??? Move on mate !
The people they have left in IT are idiots. Truly.
They also rolled out a POS system (different software) in Asian region. Took about a year and a half for 9 countries and 4/5 different languages. With something different than what they did in North America! I know some people involved, they are laughing after hearing this about the new POS - heard it was supposed to be in all US (250+ stores) by last October, they have like 20-ish done January 2017!
Ed was just the tool to handle the outsourcing in IT. You need to look at the Board of Directors as the responsible party to make the decisions on the outsource direction. The looked for a specific CIO with that skill set to add to the company. They were looking at other companies P&L's that outsourced without looking at the productivity reduction due to that decision. Many of the companies that they looked at have reversed their decisions, the marginal savings does not justify the speed and flexibility to run a retail company in modern times.
Now you want to throw a dart at Ed and Robert here is one for you. Fossil rolled out a new POS about 8 years ago and they did it successfully with internal talent and limited consultants. 1 year to pilot and 8 months to roll out to 3 countries including the US. They started a project to roll out a new POS back in April 2015. 1 year for the project then in April 2016 they started a pilot with the new POS. They are still in pilot in a couple of dozen stores after 9 months in only one country. The new multi-million dollar POS is so bad they cannot roll it out. MONEY WASTED!!!
This is incorrect. 100% positive not just ex Jc penny people were let go.
Store Operations, Real Estate and Maintenance also got shown the door in 2014.
Layoff are still occurring. Accounting Dept was impacted.