Web sales set the pace for growth at J.C. Penney

Internet sales at J.C. Penney Co. Inc. increased 25% in June over June last year, J.C. Penney reports. J.C. Penney does not break out dollar numbers for Internet sales on a monthly basis.

Companywide sales for the month were up 3.6% to $1.45 billion from $1.4 billion in June last year, reflecting a 4.8% increase to $1.25 billion in June department store sales vs. $1.2 billion in June a year ago, and a decrease in catalog sales. “Sales were soft primarily as a result of out-of-stocks in selected merchandise categories due to strong sales earlier in the season,” J.C. Penney, No. 13 in Internet Retailer`s Top 300 Guide to online retailers, said in its earnings release.

Year-to-date (22 weeks) companywide sales are up 7.3% to $6.71 billion from $6.25 billion, with department store sales up 8.1% to $5.7 billion from $5.28 billion and catalog/Internet sales up 3.2% to $1 billion from $971 million.