I disagree. I think their “new” sales model of “everyday low prices/no sales” combined with their gay family agenda to create the downward spiral. The last time I shopped there, which was probably going on 2 years ago, I was looking for clearance racks. There were none, nothing really marked down, just “everyday prices”. I don’t shop very much at all, and when I do, unless going for one specific item, I am going to look at the clearance stuff first.
In recent years when we've wanted something new we just pick it up with the groceries. BJ's, Costco, Target, and Walmart pretty much keep us clothed. Every couple of years, my wife will get something really "upscale", but even that is most likely done online.
Here's the one exception where my wife was actually in JCP. Two weeks before Christmas this year and was going to pick up two dressy sweaters for my grandsons for a wake they were to attend that evening: She was in the area of the mall and thought she would run into JCP and pick up some reasonably priced little boy sweaters. She went to the boys' department and couldn't find them so she asked the sales associate. The lady looked stricken and told her they hadn't gotten *ANY* sweaters in for little boys (ages 5 and 7). What??? No wonder they're going out of business. She ended up going to Target on her way home.