Collins, J.C. and Porras, J.I., "Building Your Company's Vision", Harvard Business Review, september-october 1996.

Jacobs' wife told him she and her husband had never had a J.C. Penney card, but Jacobs called back to say the card was indeed his.

But whilst Sears' share price has tumbled by nearly half since last summer, the shares of rivals such as J.C. Penney and Macy's have also plunged.