J.C. Penney’s recent issues highlight a trend that I’ve been seeing for some time—retailers placing more of an emphasis on finances and real estate while focusing less on the customer. Retail used to begin and end with the customer, but for many brands, it’s clear that customers are no longer the focus. In this edition of my Retail Rap column, I take a look at some brands who could benefit from shifting their focus back to customer satisfaction, and brands who are already doing this very well. Retail isn’t about just selling goods that customers want or need. Now, it’s also about the experience that customers get in stores, too.

