While the business press spent much of the year eviscerating J.C. Penney and its disgraced former CEO Ron Johnson, everyday shoppers were busy Googling the store chain, its sales and its coupons.
If this year's top
For instance, pricey outfitters like Neiman Marcus and cult favorite headline-grabbers Lululemon are nowhere to be seen on the web giant's list of the ten most-searched apparel brands and retailers this year.
Instead, the list has a decidedly suburban feel, with
If you take a closer look at the specific search terms most used in conjunction with these popular retailers, it's clear the shopper's goal is a good deal. Google users researching 'Kohl's' were most likely to be checking out the store chain's coupons or Black Friday specials.
The same goes for J.C. Penney, although the retailer's stock was almost as popular a search term as 'Black Friday' thanks to a tumultuous year.
Shoppers who looked up Nordstrom on Google were likely to be searching for Nordstrom Rack, the high-end retailer's discount outlet. That, or the shoe department.
Interestingly, Google's data hints at what emerging brands are of interest to, say, Nordstrom shoppers. Rising search terms among those looking for the mall giant include 'Hautelook', a members-only fashion site, and 'ASOS', a trendy, inexpensive online store with a similar aesthetic to H&M.
You can slice and dice the data for yourself here.
