BLACK FRIDAY 2010 STATEMENT

The 2010 holiday season is off to an exciting start with the biggest Black Friday sales event in our history. Traffic at jcpenney stores was strong across all areas of the country as well as on jcp.com. Customers are responding well to our innovative gift assortment for a full range of ages, lifestyles, and budgets. Some of the top sellers included:

• Stylish pieces from our Women’s department including our St. John’s Bay cashmere-blend pea coat ($49.88) and cable knit sweaters ($9.88), Liz Claiborne sportswear ($15.00-$49.5), and a.n.a cold-weather coordinates ($9.99-$12.99) as well as fashion boots ($29.99) and handbags (beginning at $19.99).

• In Men’s, popular items included St. John’s Bay polos and henleys ($9.99), Stafford flannel sleep pants ($7.88), and remote control execuheli helicopter ($17.99).

• In Home, Protocol® luggage sets at $38.88, cooks® small kitchen electrics ($9.88), and bedding items including down and down alternative comforters ($39.99) as well as microplush blankets ($17.88).

• Exciting items from jcpenney’s gift assortment including the Sharper Image® U Video camera ($48.88) and Vivitar® microscope kit and telescope, foosball & air hockey tabletop games ($18.88 each).

• Young Men’s hoodies ($8.88) and Juniors’ plaid shirts ($9.88) from The Original Arizona Jean Co.® and Children’s character sleepwear ($7.88).

• Fine Jewelry was led by items such as a 2 carat bracelet ($99.88) and 1 carat stud earrings ($399.88).  

Myron E. (Mike) Ullman, III, chairman and CEO of J. C. Penney Company, Inc. said, “The Christmas holiday shopping season has gotten off to a strong start for us. Across the country, consumers appear to be more eager to shop than the last couple of years. Our strategy of offering stylish gifts at sharp prices is resonating with shoppers. We have also seen a greater interest in aspirational purchases as well as a return to ‘self-gifting,’ which had not been evident over the past two years. Overall, we’re encouraged by the early trends we are seeing.”

We will report sales for the November period on Thursday, December 2nd.

# # #