J.C. Penney’s web sales grow 37% YTD vs. last year

Internet sales at Plano, TX-based J. C. Penney Co. Inc. reached $24 million in August and $153 million year to date, the company announced today. August sales were up 33% from last August while year-to-date sales increased 37%. Total catalog sales, which include e-commerce sales, in August declined 11.5%.

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Comparable department store sales increased 7.5% in August, well above plan, the company said. Penney reported that August sales benefited from marketing targeted to the Back-to-School selling period. The best performing merchandise categories for the month were women`s apparel, children`s, home furnishings, and fine jewelry.

The company reported that drugstore sales at its Eckerds Drug division were on plan for the month, increasing 8%. Comparable pharmacy sales increased 11% percent and front-end sales increased 2.3%.