Irvin Retires from JCPenney

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 6/9/2008 12:00:00 AM

Plano, Texas —

John Irvin, 61, evp at JCPenney and president of JCPenney Direct, has retired from the company, effective June 3.

He has been with the retailer since 2001, responsible for both the catalog and internet business. Under his direction, jcp.com has become the company's fastest growing shopping channel, and one that chairman and ceo Mike Ullman said will be the growth core of the company. The internet site posted sales of approximately $1.5 billion last year.

Irvin joined the company from Spiegels where he was president and ceo. His earlier career included senior executive positions at Mervyn's, Maison Blanche, the Dallas Market Center, Sanger-Harris and Foley's.

Irvin's retirement coincides with the merging of the company retail stores and direct buying organizations that began in April. The marketing, merchandising, buying and operations are being programmed as one business.

John Kendig, vp hard lines for JCPenney Direct, now will focus on merchandising in the home division reporting to Jeff Allison, evp. The marketing and direct operation functions that previously reported to Irvin are now reporting to Mike Boylson, said Quinton Crenshaw, a company spokesperson.