How J.C. Penney and Sears Could Have Steered Clear of the Slope of Death

Teen retailer Abercrombie & Fitch is out of favor with its core demographic; American Eagle has ousted its underdelivering CEO; and RadioShack is betting a cosmetic makeover can solve a fundamentally weakened business. Meanwhile, restaurant franchise Applebee's, bookseller Barnes & Noble, consumer electronics multinational retailer Best Buy and casual dining chain Olive Garden continue to struggle.