J. C. Penney Company, Inc. reported that its comparable store sales for the four-week period ended May 28, 2011, decreased 1.0 percent.
Overall, children’s, women’s apparel and accessories reported the strongest results in May. The company also noted particularly robust sales trends in its 254 Sephora inside jcpenney beauty boutiques this month. This, coupled with the ongoing strength in the sales of its women’s accessories and modern shoes and handbags, reflects the success of the company’s strategy to enhance the center core of its stores.
Geographically, the southwest region was the top performing region of the country. Throughout the month, sales and traffic were impacted somewhat by unseasonable weather trends, as well as the shift or elimination of certain promotional events when compared to the same period last year.
Total company sales decreased 3.3 percent for the month.
