Catalog/Internet sales grow in Sept says JCPenney

07 Oct '05

3 min read

E-commerce retailer J. C. Penney Company Inc (JCPenney) total department store sales increased 1.9 percent, while comparable store sales increased 1.4 percent for the five weeks ended October 1, 2005.

Comparable store sales were in line with guidance of a low-single digit increase and come on top of a 1.8 percent increase in last year's September period. The best performing merchandise categories for the month were family shoes, home, and children's apparel.

From a geographical perspective, sales continue to be strongest in the southeast and western regions of the country.

Direct (catalog/Internet) sales increased 0.4 percent, which was also in line with guidance, and compared to a 3.3 percent increase in last year's September period. Sales for jcpenney.com increased nearly 30 percent in the September period in both this year and last year.

October Sales Guidance
For the month of October, the company expects comparable department store sales to increase low-single digits compared to an increase of 1.8 percent in the same period last year. Direct (catalog/Internet) sales are expected to be about flat versus a 1.7 percent increase last October, with continued strength coming from jcpenney.com. On October 7, 2005 the company will open seven stores in existing markets, six of which are in the off-mall format. An additional four stores are expected to open in the fourth quarter. In total the company will open 19 stores in fiscal 2005, representing its largest number of store openings since 1997.

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