Spring apparel & seasonal products help JC Penney's sales up 2.5%
04 Feb '06
3 min read
Nation's largest catalog merchant JC Penney Company Inc comparable department store sales increased 2.5 percent for the four weeks ended January 28, 2006, while total department store sales increased 2.9 percent.
Comparable store sales were in line with previous guidance for a low-single digit increase, and compare with a sales increase of 2.5 percent in last year's January period.
Sales were positive across all regions of the country and all merchandise divisions, with the strongest performance in children's apparel, family shoes, women's accessories, and fine jewelry.
Sales strengthened throughout the month, with a positive initial response to spring apparel and seasonal products.
Direct (catalog/Internet) sales increased 4.3 percent during the period, compared to previous guidance for flat sales.
The sales increase comes on top of a 12.6 percent increase in the January period last year.
Sales through jcpenney.com were up low double digits in January and nearly 28 percent for the fiscal year, and as previously announced, exceeded $1 billion in annual sales.
For the month of February, the company expects both comparable department stores sales and Direct sales to be flat to up slightly.
In last year's February period, comparable department store sales increased 5.9 percent and Direct sales increased 6.4 percent.
(1) 2005 department store sales have reflected the accounting for a sales returns reserve on a monthly basis.
marketing@alchempro.com
