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I have very fond memories of shopping at JCPenney my entire life – my grandma worked there and it was always the store of choice for us when back-to-school shopping.
You may have similar memories if you’re wondering, “is there a JCPenney in the UK?” or maybe you or your kids like to shop there today.
JCPenney has been a staple in American department stores since it was founded in 1902, and while they have undergone some closures and shifts in the way they operate in recent years (more on that later), you can always rely on JCPenney to be in a local mall in the US!
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But the big question on your mind, likely, is not whether you can find a JCPenney in the US, but…
“Is there a JCPenney in the UK or England or London?”
Unfortunately there is no JCPenney in the UK, England, or London (or anywhere in Europe for that matter), but there are some alternatives to JCPenney that will help you get your back-to-school or event shopping done in style.
Before we dig into the history of JCPenney and the closest thing to JCPenney in the UK, though, I wanted to take a second to throw some resources at you that may be helpful if you’re an expat in the UK or considering taking a trip or making the move here.
Firstly, no matter your reason for being here, you need the best book on living in the UK for Americans ever written – the book is called “Girl Gone London: An American’s Guide to Surviving Life in the UK” and you should click here and check it out.
I also may have written it, so I’m biased.
But truly, if you’re coming to the UK as an expat, a study abroad student, or even a visitor, my guide to life in the UK contains both personal anecdotes and maybe too-honest experiences, as well as resources and advice on topics ranging from homesickness in the UK (or how not to rage book a flight to America like I did), driving in the UK, being a student in the UK, and more practical advice about bank accounts, buying houses, and more.
It’s truly a one stop shop for all of the weirdness and wonderfulness (is that a word?) that comes along with life in the UK, and also there is plenty of opportunity to laugh at me as I share all of my expat fails so there’s that.
I’ve lived in the UK off and on since 2012, and full time since the beginning of 2014.
Other people have me beat, but that’s still a lot of years to navigate London transportation, culture shock, and everything that comes along with life here.
Some of the resources below, like the culture shock article is geared towards those of you who may also be considering expat life here, or possibly in the middle of trying to cope with homesickness as an expat.
Others, like the guide to surviving the London Underground, are applicable to anyone who is visiting the UK even if just for a few days.
You need to figure out how to most efficiently spend your day trapped in between two businessmen who are complaining about being late to work!
- Culture Shock: The Things We Don’t Talk About
- An American Girl’s Guide to Surviving the London Underground
- Understanding UK Money: Pence, Not Cents!
- Driving in England as an American: An Apology to UK Drivers
Okay, so moving along to JCPenney in the UK or England.
JCPenney was founded by James Cash Penney, though it changed names and locations many times since his original involvement with it.
Today, it has 865 locations across both the US and Puerto Rico and it has been operating an online store since 1998.
Most of its stores are in suburban shopping malls, which explains why a suburban kid like me was able to find them everywhere!
JCPenney enjoyed success until about 2009.
It was in 2010 that its growth started going the opposite directions and stores have had to be closed.
Thousands of employees have been laid off and the downward trend continues to this day, which makes people wonder how long JCPenney will survive in the US.
One of the problems it encountered was that Google penalized the company for spammy online tactics, essentially trying to game the system so that they would rank better.
They’ve also rebranded loads of times since 2010 and haven’t stayed with consistent leadership or branding.
Of course, JCPenney is also affected by the fact that society is moving away from department store retailers and to completing shopping on Amazon or other online stores.
Malls in suburban areas are not always the “hot spot” to hang out like they would have been 10 years ago, and department stores have to respond accordingly.
Alternatives to JCPenney in the UK and London
So where can you find the closest thing to JCPenney in the UK and London?
Debenham’s
Debenhams is an online department store in the UK that I would say resembles a JCPenney.
It’s a bit more upmarket, but it sells clothes, shoes, homewares and other accessories just like JCPenney.
You can find them online these days, as there are no stores left after they were bought by BooHoo.
Order JCPenney Online
If you are just so desparate for an item from JCPenney that you don’t want to find anywhere else, JCPenney does deliver internationally.
Will it cost you probably half of your mortgage?
Likely.
But in the case that you feel this is the only option, at least you know that it is an option.
Read more in my full guide comparing UK and US stores and restaurants.
Coming to London Soon?
Hey!
Since you’re here I’m assuming you’re intent on visiting this amazing city soon!
Getting the lowdown on the hottest spots in town can be time consuming so I took the liberty of picking out some great ones below. Hope you enjoy!
Open Top Bus London Tour: Double Decker buses are not only a way of transportation in London, but a definitive pastime of the city dwellers.
This tour lets you see London by night and experience a true right of passage that every Londoner must complete. A two for one YAY!
Kew Gardens: If you want to explore some of the calmer areas of the city, I highly recommend exploring the botanicals at Kew Gardens.
London’s largest World Heritage site boasts acres of gardens in a royal glass palace because, yes, everything here gets the royal treatment.
Afternoon Tea Cruise on River Thames: Oh so you’ve come to London looking for tea?
Lucky for you theres literally MILLIONS of options to choose from… it can actually get overwhelming. So I made it easy for you and found one of the best teas in town, complete with the best setting as well!
Want to know more about US stores in the UK? Check this list out!
- Is there a Costco in London or the UK?
- Is there a Target in London or the UK?
- Is there a Shoe Carnival in London or the UK?
- Is there a Duane Reade in London or the UK?
- Is there a Books-a-Million in London or the UK?
- Is there a Giant in London or the UK?
- Is there a Justice store in London or in the UK?
- Is there a PacSun in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Barnes and Noble in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Pottery Barn in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Chase Bank in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Banana Republic in London or in the UK?
- Is there an Arby’s in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Children’s Place in London or in the UK?
- Is there a 7 Eleven in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Hot Topic in London or in the UK?
- Is there an Applebee’s in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Disney World in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Bath and Body Works in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Bank of America in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Panda Express in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Boston Market in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Sam’s Club in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Wawa in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Trader Joe’s in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Safeway in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Sears in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Wegman’s in London or in the UK?
- Is there a TJMaxx in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Kroger in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Little Ceasars in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Dick’s Sporting Good in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Panera Bread in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Cheesecake Factory in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Johnny Rocket’s in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Wells Fargo in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Chuck E Cheese in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Sonic in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Waffle House in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Red Lobster in London or in the UK?
- Is there an IHOP in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Chili’s in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Goodwill in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Popeyes in London or in the UK?
- Is there an Old Navy in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Dillards in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Walgreens in London or in the UK?
- Is there a CVS in London or in the UK?
- Is there an Ulta in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Best Buy in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Kmart in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Publix in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Marshalls in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Nordstrom in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Lowes in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Bed Bath and Beyond in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Taco Bell in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Dairy Queen in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Steak n Shake in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Hobby Lobby in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Sephora in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Macys in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Ross in London or in the UK?
- Is there an American Eagle in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Petsmart in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Michaels in London or in the UK?
- Is there an Olive Garden in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Chick Fil A in London or in the UK?
- Is there an Outback Steakhouse in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Chipotle in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Kohls in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Starbucks in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Home Depot in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Wendy’s in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Walmart in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Dollar Store in London or in the UK?
- Is there an In-N-Out Burger in London or in the UK?
