SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D. C. 20549


                                   FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

            X QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the quarterly period ended April 26, 2003     Commission file number 1-15274
                                       OR

            TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

       For the transitional period from ______________ to ________________
                       Commission File No. ______________

                           J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

  Delaware                                                      26-0037077
(State or other jurisdiction of                               (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)

                  6501 Legacy Drive, Plano, Texas 75024 - 3698
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                                   (Zip Code)

                                 (972) 431-1000
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
      -------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                         if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes       X       No

Indicate  by check mark  whether  the  registrant  is an  accelerated  filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes       X       No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

271,532,488 shares of Common Stock of 50 cents par value, as of June 4, 2003.


                                      INDEX


                                                                                     
                                                                                        Page
                                                                                       ------


Part I          Financial Information

   Item 1.      Financial Statements

                Consolidated Statements of Operations                                   1

                Consolidated Balance Sheets                                             2

                Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                                   4

                Notes to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements        5

   Item 2.      Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
                Results of Operations                                                  14

   Item 3.      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk             22

   Item 4.      Controls and Procedures                                                22

Part II         Other Information

   Item 1.      Legal Proceedings                                                      23

   Item 6.      Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                       23

Signature Page                                                                         24

Certifications                                                                         25
 
                                        i




PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  Item 1 - Unaudited Financial Statements

                           J. C. Penney Company, Inc.
                      Consolidated Statements of Operations
                                   (Unaudited)


($ in millions, except per share data)

                                                                                  
                                                                         13 weeks ended
                                                                 -----------------------------
                                                                   April 26,       April 27,
                                                                     2003             2002
                                                                 --------------    -----------

       Retail sales, net                                            $ 7,493         $ 7,728
       Costs and expenses
          Cost of goods sold                                          5,167           5,375
          Selling, general and administrative expenses                2,125           2,096
          Other unallocated                                              (7)             10
          Net interest expense                                          104             102
          Acquisition amortization                                       10              10
                                                                 --------------    -----------
              Total costs and expenses                                7,399           7,593
                                                                 --------------    -----------
       Income before income taxes                                        94             135
       Income taxes                                                      33              49
                                                                 --------------    -----------
       Net income                                                     $  61            $ 86
       Less: preferred stock dividends                                    7               7
                                                                 --------------    -----------
       Net income applicable to common
          stockholders                                                $  54            $ 79
                                                                 ==============    ===========



       Earnings per share:
           Basic                                                      $0.20           $0.30
           Diluted                                                    $0.20           $0.29


The  accompanying  notes  are  an  integral  part  of  these  unaudited  Interim
Consolidated Financial Statements.
                                      -1-


                           J. C. Penney Company, Inc.
                           Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                                                            

 ($ in millions)                                                    Apr. 26,       Apr. 27,        Jan. 25,
                                                                       2003           2002            2003
                                                                 --------------  ------------  ---------------

       Assets
       Current assets
          Cash and short-term investments
               (including restricted balances of $87,
                $134 and $86)                                       $ 2,642        $ 2,274         $ 2,474

         Receivables (net of bad debt reserves
                of $17, $25 and $14)                                    718            785             705

         Merchandise inventory (net of LIFO
                reserves of $410, $393 and $403)                      5,086          4,902           4,945

         Prepaid expenses                                               268            229             229
                                                                 --------------  ------------  ---------------

              Total current assets                                    8,714          8,190           8,353

       Property and equipment (net of accumulated
         depreciation of $3,366, $3,464 and $3,253)                   4,820          4,921           4,901

       Goodwill                                                       2,306          2,320           2,304

       Intangible assets (net of accumulated
         amortization of $338, $273 and $322)                           479            516             494


       Other assets                                                   1,791          1,521           1,815

                                                                 --------------  ------------  ---------------

       Total Assets                                                $ 18,110       $ 17,468        $ 17,867
                                                                 ==============  ============  ===============


The  accompanying  notes  are  an  integral  part  of  these  unaudited  Interim
Consolidated Financial Statements.
                                      -2-








                           J. C. Penney Company, Inc.
                           Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                                                               
 ($ in millions except per share data)                              Apr. 26,       Apr. 27,        Jan. 25,
                                                                       2003           2002            2003
                                                                 --------------  ------------   --------------

       Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
       Current liabilities
         Accounts payable and accrued expenses                       $3,304         $3,437          $3,791
         Short-term debt                                                 23             30              13

         Current maturities of long-term debt                           291            233             288
         Deferred taxes                                                 113             96              80
                                                                 --------------  ------------   --------------
              Total current liabilities                               3,731          3,796           4,172

       Long-term debt                                                 5,534          5,162           4,927

       Deferred taxes                                                 1,390          1,244           1,391

       Other liabilities                                                993          1,021           1,007
                                                                 --------------  ------------   --------------

              Total Liabilities                                      11,648         11,223          11,497

       Stockholders' equity
       Capital stock
         Preferred stock, no par value and stated value
           of $600 per share: authorized, 25 million shares;
           issued and outstanding, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.6 million
           shares of Series B ESOP convertible preferred               325             353             333

         Common stock, par value $0.50 per share:
          authorized, 1,250 million shares; issued and
          outstanding, 271, 267 and 269 million shares                3,479          3,398           3,423
                                                                 --------------  ------------   --------------

       Total capital stock                                            3,804          3,751           3,756
                                                                 --------------  ------------   --------------

       Reinvested earnings at beginning of year                       2,817          2,573           2,573

         Net income                                                      61             86             405
         Dividends declared                                             (34)           (33)           (161)
                                                                 --------------  ------------   --------------

       Reinvested earnings at end of period                           2,844          2,626           2,817


         Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)                        (186)          (132)           (203)
                                                                 --------------  ------------   --------------

             Total Stockholders' Equity                               6,462          6,245           6,370
                                                                 --------------  ------------   --------------

       Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity                   $18,110       $ 17,468        $ 17,867
                                                                 ==============  ============   ==============


     The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  unaudited  Interim
     Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                      -3-



                           J. C. Penney Company, Inc.
                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                                                                      
     ($ in millions)                                                                   13 weeks ended
                                                                             ---------------------------------------
                                                                                   Apr. 26,            Apr. 27,
                                                                                      2003                2002
                                                                             -----------------      ----------------
       Cash flows from operating activities:
       Net income                                                                     $ 61                $ 86
       Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
         from operating activities:
          Asset impairments, PVOL and other unit closing costs                           2                  21
          Depreciation and amortization, including intangible assets                   180                 163
          Net gains on sale of assets                                                  (21)                (10)
          Benefit plans expense                                                         26                   -
          Vesting of restricted stock awards                                            (1)                  1
          Deferred taxes                                                                32                  10
          Change in cash from:
             Receivables                                                               (35)                (87)
             Sale of drugstore receivables                                              50                   -
             Inventory                                                                (141)                 28
             Prepaid expenses and other assets                                          (7)                (21)
             Accounts payable                                                          (48)                275
             Current income taxes payable                                              (27)                  5
             Other liabilities                                                        (325)               (197)
                                                                             -----------------      ----------------
       Net cash from operating activities                                             (254)                274
                                                                             -----------------      ----------------

       Cash flows from investing activities:
       Capital expenditures                                                           (163)               (126)
       Proceeds from sale of assets                                                     23                  12
                                                                             -----------------      ----------------

       Net cash from investing activities                                             (140)               (114)
                                                                             -----------------      ----------------

       Cash flows from financing activities:
       Change in short-term debt                                                        10                  15
       Proceeds from equipment financing                                                 9                   -
       Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                    586                   -
       Payment of long-term debt, including capital leases                              (8)               (706)

       Common stock issued, net                                                          7                   8

       Preferred stock redeemed                                                         (8)                (10)

       Dividends paid                                                                  (34)                (33)
                                                                             -----------------      ----------------
       Net cash from financing activities                                              562                (726)
                                                                             -----------------      ----------------
       Net increase/(decrease) in cash and short-term investments                      168                (566)
       Cash and short-term investments at beginning of year                          2,474               2,840
                                                                             -----------------      ----------------
       Cash and short-term investments at end of period                             $2,642              $2,274
                                                                             =================      ================


     The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  unaudited  Interim
     Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                      -4-


Notes to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

1)      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
        ------------------------------------------

A description  of significant  accounting  policies is included in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 25, 2003 (the "2002
10-K"). The accompanying  unaudited Interim  Consolidated  Financial  Statements
should be read in conjunction  with the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements and
notes thereto in the 2002 10-K.

The accompanying Interim Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited but, in
the opinion of management, include all material adjustments necessary for a fair
presentation.  Because of the seasonal nature of the retail business,  operating
results for interim periods are not  necessarily  indicative of the results that
may be expected for the full year.  The January 25, 2003  financial  information
has been  derived  from the  audited  Consolidated  Financial  Statements,  with
related footnotes, included in the 2002 10-K.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the
current period presentation.

Holding Company
---------------

Effective  January 27, 2002, J. C. Penney  Company,  Inc.  changed its corporate
structure to a holding company format.  As part of this structure,  J. C. Penney
Company,  Inc.  changed its name to J. C.  Penney  Corporation,  Inc.  (JCP) and
became a wholly owned  subsidiary of a newly formed  affiliated  holding company
(Holding  Company).  The Holding  Company assumed the name J. C. Penney Company,
Inc. The Holding Company has no direct  subsidiaries other than JCP, nor does it
have any independent assets or operations.  All outstanding shares of common and
preferred stock were automatically  converted into the identical number and type
of shares in the  Holding  Company.  Stockholders'  ownership  interests  in the
business did not change as a result of the new structure.  Shares of the Company
remain  publicly  traded  under  the same  symbol  (JCP)  on the New York  Stock
Exchange.  The Holding  Company is a co-obligor (or guarantor,  as  appropriate)
regarding  the  payment of  principal  and  interest on JCP's  outstanding  debt
securities. The guarantee by the Holding Company of certain of JCP's outstanding
debt is  full  and  unconditional.  The  Holding  Company  and its  consolidated
subsidiaries,  including  JCP, are  collectively  referred to in this  quarterly
report as "Company" or "JCPenney," unless indicated otherwise.

Stock-Based Compensation
------------------------

The Company has a  stock-based  compensation  plan that  provides  for grants to
associates of stock awards, stock appreciation rights or options to purchase the
Company's  common stock. The Company accounts for the plan under the recognition
and measurement  principles of Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting  for Stock Issued to  Employees,"  and related  Interpretations.  No
stock-based  employee   compensation  cost  is  reflected  in  the  consolidated
statement of operations for stock options, as all options granted under the plan
had an exercise price equal to the market value of the  underlying  common stock
on the date of grant.  Compensation expense for fixed stock awards with pro rata
vesting is recorded on a  straight-line  basis over the  vesting  period,  which
typically ranges from one to five years.

                                      -5-



The following table  illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share
as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement
of Financial  Accounting  Standards (SFAS) No. 123,  "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation," to stock options.

                                                                            
$ in millions, except EPS                                          13 weeks ended
                                                                -------------------
                                                           Apr. 26,           Apr. 27,
                                                              2003               2002
                                                         ---------------     -------------

Net income, as reported                                       $ 61               $ 86
Add:  Stock-based employee compensation
      expense included in reported net income, net of
      related tax effects                                        1                  1
Deduct:  Total stock-based employee compensation
      expense determined under fair value
      method for all stock options, net of related
      tax effects                                               (6)                (6)
                                                         ---------------     -------------

  Pro forma net income                                        $ 56               $ 81
                                                         ===============     =============

  Earnings per share:
      Basic--as reported                                     $0.20              $0.30
      Basic--pro forma                                       $0.18              $0.28

      Diluted--as reported                                   $0.20              $0.29
      Diluted--pro forma                                     $0.18              $0.27



Effect of New Accounting Standards
----------------------------------

The  Company  adopted  Emerging  Issues  Task  Force  (EITF)  Issue  No.  02-16,
"Accounting  by a Customer  (Including  a Reseller)  for  Certain  Consideration
Received  from a  Vendor,"  in the first  quarter  of 2003.  This  pronouncement
requires  that vendor  allowances  be treated as a reduction of inventory  costs
unless  specifically  identified  as a  reimbursement  of costs to advertise the
vendor's  products  or  payment  for other  services.  In  addition,  any vendor
allowances received in excess of costs incurred should be treated as a reduction
of inventory costs. The adoption of this  pronouncement  did not have a material
impact on Eckerd  segment  results,  but did  impact a small  portion  of vendor
allowances for Department  Stores and Catalog and resulted in a reduction in the
segment's  operating  profit of $5 million  and net income of  approximately  $3
million for the first quarter of 2003.

In November 2002, the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board (FASB) issued FASB
Interpretation  No.  45  (FIN  45),   "Guarantor's   Accounting  and  Disclosure
Requirements  for Guarantees,  Including  Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others."
Disclosures  related to this  interpretation  were  effective  for year-end 2002
reporting,  and the accounting requirements are effective for guarantees entered
into or modified  after  December  31,  2002,  and require  all  guarantees  and
indemnifications  within its scope to be recorded at fair value as  liabilities,
and the  maximum  possible  loss  to the  Company  under  these  guarantees  and
indemnifications  to  be  disclosed.   Current  period  disclosures  related  to
guarantees  are included in Note 10.  Adoption of FIN 45 did not have a material
impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In December  2002,  the FASB issued SFAS No. 148,  "Accounting  for  Stock-Based
Compensation Costs - Transition and Disclosure." This statement amended SFAS No.
123  and  provides   alternative  methods  of  transition  for  an  entity  that
voluntarily changes to the fair value-based method of accounting for stock-based
compensation.  It also  requires  additional  disclosures  about the  effects on
reported net income of an entity's accounting policy with respect to stock-based
employee  compensation.  As  discussed  previously,  the  Company  accounts  for
stock-based   compensation   in   accordance   with  APB  25  and   adopted  the
disclosure-only  alternative of SFAS No. 123. The Company adopted the disclosure
provisions of SFAS No. 148 effective for fiscal 2002.

                                      -6-



On January 17, 2003, FIN 46,  "Consolidation of Variable Interest  Entities,  an
interpretation  of ARB 51," was issued.  The primary  objective  of FIN 46 is to
provide guidance on the  identification  and  consolidation of variable interest
entities,  or VIEs,  which are  entities for which  control is achieved  through
means other than through voting rights. The provisions of FIN 46 are required to
be applied to VIEs  created or in which the Company  obtains an  interest  after
January 31, 2003. For VIE's in which the Company holds a variable  interest that
it acquired  before February 1, 2003, the provisions of FIN 46 are effective for
the third quarter of 2003. The Company does not expect the adoption of FIN 46 in
the third quarter of 2003 to have a material  impact on its financial  position,
results of operations or cash flows.


2)      Earnings per Share
        -------------------

Basic  earnings  per share (EPS) is computed by dividing  income  applicable  to
common  stockholders by the average number of common shares  outstanding for the
period.  Except  when  the  effect  would  be  anti-dilutive,  the  diluted  EPS
calculation includes the impact of restricted stock awards and shares that could
be issued under  outstanding  stock  options as well as common shares that would
result from the conversion of convertible  debentures and convertible  preferred
stock. In addition,  the related interest on convertible debentures (net of tax)
and preferred stock dividends (net of tax) are added back to income, since these
would not be paid if the debentures or preferred  stock were converted to common
stock.

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share follows:

(In millions, except per share data)                       13 weeks ended
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                     Apr. 26,         Apr. 27,
                                                        2003             2002
                                                  --------------   -------------
Earnings:
---------
Net income                                              $ 61             $ 86
Less: preferred dividends, net of tax                      7                7
                                                  --------------  --------------
Income applicable to
   common stockholders                                    54               79
Effect of dilutive securities:
   Interest on 5% convertible debt, net of tax             -                6
                                                  --------------   -------------

Income used for diluted EPS                             $ 54             $ 85
                                                  ==============   =============


Shares:
-------
Average shares outstanding (basic shares)                270              266
Effect of dilutive securities:
    Stock options and restricted stock units
                                                           3                3
    Assumed conversion of 5% debentures                    -               23
                                                  --------------  --------------
Average shares used for diluted EPS                      273              292
                                                  ==============   =============

Earnings per share:
-------------------
Basic                                                  $0.20            $0.30
Diluted                                                $0.20            $0.29


The following  potential shares of common stock and their effects on income were
excluded  from the  diluted  EPS  calculations  because  their  effect  would be
anti-dilutive:

o    Options to purchase 16.4 million and 9.0 million  shares of common stock at
     exercise  prices  ranging from $19 to $71 and $22 to $71 were  excluded for
     the first quarters of 2003 and 2002,  respectively,  because their exercise
     prices were greater than the average market prices.

o    The $650 million aggregate  principal amount of notes convertible into 22.8
     million common shares were excluded for first quarter 2003.
                                      -7-


o    Preferred  stock  convertible  into 10.8  million and 11.8  million  common
     shares was issued and  outstanding  at April 26,  2003 and April 27,  2002,
     respectively, and was excluded from both periods shown.


3)  Cash and Restricted Short-Term Investment Balances
    ---------------------------------------------------

Restricted  short-term  investment balances of $87 million, $134 million and $86
million as of April 26, 2003, April 27, 2002 and January 25, 2003, respectively,
were  included in the total cash and  short-term  investment  balances of $2,642
million,  $2,274  million and $2,474  million for the same  periods.  Restricted
balances are pledged as collateral  for import letters of credit not included in
the bank  credit  facility  and for a  portion  of  casualty  insurance  program
liabilities.  Cash and short-term  investments on the consolidated balance sheet
include $34  million,  $7 million  and $6 million of cash as of April 26,  2003,
April 27, 2002 and January 25, 2003, respectively.


4)  Supplemental Cash Flow Information
    ----------------------------------

    ($ in millions)                                       13 weeks ended
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                     Apr. 26,         Apr. 27,
                                                        2003             2002
                                                   -------------    ------------
     Interest paid                                      $150            $ 166
     Interest received
                                                           7               12
     Income taxes paid                                    33               33

Non-cash transactions:
---------------------

o    The Company  issued 2.4 million shares of common stock in February 2003 and
     2.9  million  shares of common  stock in March  2002 to fund  savings  plan
     contributions of $47 million for 2002 and $58 million for 2001.

o    The Company acquired $6 million of drugstore  equipment  utilizing  capital
     leases in the first quarter of 2003.


5)  Eckerd Managed Care Receivables Securitization
    -----------------------------------------------

As  disclosed in the 2002 10-K,  JCP,  through  Eckerd,  has received a total of
approximately  $250 million from the  securitization  of certain  Eckerd managed
care receivables. Of the total proceeds, $200 million was received in 2001, when
a three-year revolving  receivables purchase facility agreement was entered into
with an unrelated entity. In February 2003, the agreement was amended to add two
additional third party purchasers and additional Eckerd managed care receivables
were securitized with approximately $50 million of cash proceeds received. Under
the agreement  Eckerd sells,  on a continuous  basis,  substantially  all of its
managed care receivables to ECR Receivables, Inc. (ECR), a subsidiary of Eckerd.
ECR then  sells to the third  party  purchasers  an  undivided  interest  in all
eligible receivables while retaining a subordinated interest in a portion of the
receivables.

As of April 26, 2003, securitized managed care receivables totaled $306 million,
of which the subordinated retained interest was $56 million. Losses and expenses
related to  receivables  sold under this agreement for the first quarter of 2003
and 2002 were $2 million and $1 million, respectively, and are included in other
unallocated in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
                                      -8-


6) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
   ------------------------------------

Effective  January 27, 2002,  the Company  adopted SFAS No. 142,  "Goodwill  and
Other  Intangible  Assets." Upon adoption,  the Company ceased  amortization  of
goodwill and other  indefinite-lived  intangible  assets,  primarily  the Eckerd
trade  name.  These  assets are now subject to an  impairment  test on an annual
basis, or when there is reason to believe that their values have been diminished
or impaired. Additionally, a transitional impairment test was required as of the
adoption  date.  These tests are performed on each business of the Company where
goodwill is recorded.  The Company  completed the annual  impairment test on the
Eckerd trade name and the goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2002
and there was no evidence of impairment.

The carrying amounts of goodwill were $2,306 million,  $2,320 million and $2,304
million as of April 26, 2003, April 26, 2002 and January 25, 2003, respectively.
The  changes in  carrying  value are  related to  foreign  currency  translation
adjustments.  At April 26, 2003, the total carrying amount of goodwill consisted
of $37 million for the Department  Store and Catalog  segment and $2,269 million
for the Eckerd  Drugstore  segment.  There were no impairment  losses related to
goodwill and  intangible  assets  recorded  during the first  quarter of 2003 or
2002.

Intangible assets,  all of which are included in the Eckerd Drugstores  segment,
consisted of the following:

                                                                               
 ($ in millions)                                    April 26,        April 27,        Jan. 25,
                                                        2003             2002            2003
                                                  --------------  ---------------    ------------
Amortizing intangible assets:
    Prescription files                                 $ 290            $ 263           $ 289
    Less accumulated amortization                        166              130             157
                                                  --------------  ---------------    ------------
    Prescription files, net                              124              133             132
                                                  --------------  ---------------    ------------

    Favorable lease rights                               205              204             205
    Less accumulated amortization                        172              143             165
                                                  --------------  ---------------    ------------
    Favorable lease rights, net                           33               61              40
                                                  --------------  ---------------    ------------

    Carrying amount of amortizing
        intangible assets                                157              194             172

Non-amortizing intangible assets
    Eckerd trade name                                    322              322             322

                                                  --------------  ---------------    ------------
Total intangible assets                                $ 479            $ 516           $ 494
                                                  ==============  ===============    ============



The net carrying  amount of intangible  assets  decreased $15 million due to $16
million  of  amortization   of  intangible   assets  offset  by  $1  million  of
prescription files acquired during the first quarter of 2003.

                                      -9-


The following  table provides  amortization  expense for the periods  presented.
Amortization  expense  related to major  business  acquisitions  is  reported as
acquisition  amortization  on the  consolidated  statements of  operations.  The
remaining  amount of  amortization  expense is included in selling,  general and
administrative (SG&A) expenses.


($ in millions)                                          13 weeks ended
                                                  ---------------------------
                                                    April 26,        April 27,
                                                        2003             2002
                                                   -------------   -------------
Major business acquisitions(1)                          $ 10             $ 10
Other acquisitions                                         6                6
                                                   -------------   -------------
   Total for amortizing intangible assets               $ 16             $ 16
                                                   =============   =============

(1)Major  business  acquisitions  include Eckerd  Corporation  acquired in early
1997, Lojas Renner S.A. acquired in January 1999 and Genovese Drug Stores,  Inc.
acquired in March 1999.

Amortization expense for the intangible assets reflected above is expected to be
approximately  (in  millions)  $66, $34, $26, $16 and $10 for fiscal years 2003,
2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.  Of these amounts, amortization related
to major business  acquisitions  is expected to be  approximately  (in millions)
$40, $9, $6 and $1 for fiscal years 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively.


7)  Restructuring Reserves
    ----------------------

At April 26, 2003,  the  consolidated  balance  sheet  included  $104 million of
remaining  reserves  that were  established  in  connection  with the  Company's
restructuring  initiatives  compared to $165  million at April 27, 2002 and $113
million at January 25, 2003.  The  remaining  reserves are related  primarily to
future lease  obligations  for both  department  stores and drugstores that have
closed.

Costs  are  being  charged  against  the  reserves  as  incurred.  Reserves  are
periodically  reviewed for adequacy  and are  adjusted as  appropriate.  Imputed
interest expense and any other adjustments to the reserves are included in other
unallocated.  During the first  quarter of 2003,  cash  payments  related to the
reserves  were $10 million.  The reserves  were  increased by  approximately  $1
million for imputed  interest  during the first  quarter of 2003.  Cash payments
related to these  reserves  are  expected  to  approximate  $27  million for the
balance of 2003, with most of the remainder to be paid out by the end of 2005.


8)  Issuance of $600 Million Debt
    -----------------------------

On February 28, 2003, JCP issued $600 million principal amount of 8.0% Notes Due
2010 ("Notes") priced at 99.342% of their principal  amount to yield 8.125%.
J. C. Penney Company,  Inc. is a co-obligor on the Notes. The Notes pay interest
on March 1 and September 1 each year. The Notes are redeemable in whole or in
part, at the Company's  option at any time, at a redemption price equal to the
greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of such Notes or (ii) the sum of the
present values of the remaining scheduled payments, discounted to the redemption
date on a semi-annual  basis at the "treasury  yield" plus 50 basis points,
together in either case with accrued interest to the date of redemption.

                                      -10-


9)  Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)
    ---------------------------------------------------------------

Comprehensive Income /(Loss)

($ in millions)                                          13 weeks ended
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                     Apr. 26,         Apr. 27,
                                                        2003             2002
                                                       ---------       ---------

Net income                                              $ 61             $ 86
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
 Foreign currency translation adjustments                  8               (2)
 Net unrealized gains in real estate investment trusts     9                7
                                                       ---------       ---------
                                                          17                5
                                                       ---------       ---------
Total comprehensive income                             $  78             $ 91
                                                       =========       =========


Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)/Income

                                                                                      
($ in millions)                                            Apr. 26,         Apr. 27,     Jan. 25,
                                                              2003             2002         2003
                                                          ----------       ----------   ----------
Foreign currency translation adjustments                    $ (156)           $(102)       $(164)
Non-qualified plan minimum liability adjustment                (58)             (51)         (58)
Net unrealized gains in real estate investment trusts           28               21           19
                                                          ----------       ----------   ----------

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)                      $ (186)           $(132)       $(203)
                                                          ==========       ==========   ==========


Net unrealized gains in real estate  investment trusts are shown net of deferred
taxes of $16 million,  $12 million and $10 million as of April 26,  2003,  April
27, 2002 and January 25,  2003,  respectively.  The  non-qualified  plan minimum
liability is shown net of deferred tax asset of $39 million, $33 million and $39
million as of April 26, 2003, April 27, 2002 and January 25, 2003, respectively.
A deferred tax asset has not been established for foreign  currency  translation
adjustments  due to the  historical  reinvestment  of  earnings  in the  foreign
subsidiaries.


10)  Guarantees
     ----------

JCP had total guarantees of approximately  $270 million at April 26, 2003, which
are described in detail in the 2002 10-K. These guarantees include: $178 million
potential remaining obligation for building and equipment leases entered into by
third party  operators of certain of the Company's  store support centers (SSCs)
upon termination of services for any reason;  $43 million related to investments
in one real estate  investment  trust; $20 million maximum exposure on insurance
reserves  established  by a  former  subsidiary  included  in  the  sale  of the
Company's  Direct  Marketing  Services  business;   and  $29  million  of  lease
guarantees on certain sold drugstores, $22 million of which is recorded in other
liabilities.

                                      -11-




11)  Other Unallocated
     -----------------

Other unallocated  contains items that are related to corporate  initiatives or
activities, which are not allocated to an operating segment and consisted of the
following:

($ in millions)                                              13 weeks ended
                                                        ------------------------
                                                         April 26,     April 27,
                                                             2003         2002
                                                        ------------------------

Asset impairments, PVOL and other unit closing costs          $ 15         $ 22
Gains from sale of real estate
                                                               (21)         (10)
Real estate operations
                                                                (4)          (6)
Eckerd receivables financing
                                                                 2            1
Third party fulfillment losses
                                                                 -            3
Other
                                                                 1            -
                                                             --------    -------
     Total                                                    $ (7)       $  10
                                                             ========    =======


The Company  recorded  charges of $15 million for the first  quarter of 2003 for
asset impairments,  the present value of lease obligations (PVOL) and other unit
closing  costs.  This  charge  was  comprised  of  $12  million  of  accelerated
depreciation for catalog facilities  scheduled to close by the end of the second
quarter of 2003 and $3 million  related to the PVOL for closed  stores.  For the
first quarter of 2002 these costs  included $8 million of assets  impairments on
certain  underperforming  department  stores,  $10 million  recorded for PVOL of
stores scheduled to close and $4 million related to unit closings.

Real estate gains were recorded  from the sale of facilities  that are no longer
used in Company operations.

Real estate  operations  consist  primarily of operating income of the Company's
real estate subsidiary.

Losses and expenses  related to  receivables  sold as part of the Eckerd managed
care receivables  securitization are recorded in other  unallocated.  See Note 5
for  more  information   about  the   securitization   of  Eckerd  managed  care
receivables.

The  Company  incurred  operating  losses  related  to third  party  fulfillment
operations that were discontinued in 2002.

                                      -12-




12) Segment Reporting
    ------------------

Reportable  segments are determined based on similar  economic  characteristics,
the nature of products and services and the method of distribution.  Performance
of the  segments  is  evaluated  based  on  segment  operating  profit.  Segment
operating profit is LIFO gross margin less SG&A expenses. Segment assets include
goodwill  and other  intangibles;  however,  segment  operating  profit does not
include the  amortization  related to these assets.  The Company operates in two
business  segments:  Department  Stores and Catalog  (including  Internet),  and
Eckerd Drugstores.  Other unallocated is provided for purposes of reconciling to
total Company amounts.

                                                                                                        
Business Segment Information
($ in millions)
                                                              Dept.
                                                             Stores &          Eckerd             Other            Total
                                                             Catalog         Drugstores        Unallocated        Company
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Quarter - 2003
Retail sales, net                                            $ 3,723           $ 3,770             $  -          $ 7,493
                                                        -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Segment operating profit                                          83               118                -              201

Net interest expense                                                                               (104)            (104)
Other unallocated                                                                                     7                7
Acquisition amortization                                                                            (10)             (10)
                                                                                                               --------------

Income before income taxes                                                                                            94
                                                                                                               --------------
Depreciation and amortization expense                             89                69               22              180
Total assets                                                 $11,282           $ 6,678            $ 150         $ 18,110

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st  Quarter - 2002
Retail sales, net                                            $ 4,006           $ 3,722             $  -           $7,728

                                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Segment operating profit                                         157               100                -              257

Net interest expense                                                                               (102)            (102)
Other unallocated                                                                                   (10)             (10)
Acquisition amortization                                                                            (10)             (10)
                                                                                                               --------------
Income before income taxes                                                                                           135
                                                                                                               --------------
Depreciation and amortization expense                             92                61               10              163
Total assets                                                $ 10,572           $ 6,712           $  184         $ 17,468

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



13) Subsequent Event
    ----------------

On May 29, 2003,  Standard & Poor's  downgraded the Company's  corporate credit,
senior unsecured and secured bank loan ratings to BB+ from BBB-. This new rating
is more in line with the Moody's and Fitch ratings.

                                      -13-



Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operations


Holding Company
----------------

Effective  January 27, 2002, J. C. Penney  Company,  Inc.  changed its corporate
structure to a holding company format.  As part of this structure,  J. C. Penney
Company,  Inc.  changed its name to J. C.  Penney  Corporation,  Inc.  (JCP) and
became a wholly owned  subsidiary of a newly formed  affiliated  holding company
(Holding  Company).  The holding  company assumed the name J. C. Penney Company,
Inc. The Holding Company has no direct  subsidiaries other than JCP, nor does it
have any independent assets or operations.  All outstanding shares of common and
preferred stock were automatically  converted into the identical number and type
of shares in the  Holding  Company.  Stockholders'  ownership  interests  in the
business did not change as a result of the new structure.  Shares of the Company
remain  publicly  traded  under  the same  symbol  (JCP)  on the New York  Stock
Exchange.  The Holding  Company is a co-obligor (or guarantor,  as  appropriate)
regarding  the  payment of  principal  and  interest on JCP's  outstanding  debt
securities. The guarantee by the Holding Company of certain of JCP's outstanding
debt is  full  and  unconditional.  The  Holding  Company  and its  consolidated
subsidiaries,  including  JCP,  are  collectively  referred to in this report as
"Company" or "JCPenney," unless indicated otherwise.


Critical Accounting Policies
----------------------------

Management's  discussion and analysis of its financial  condition and results of
operations is based upon the Company's consolidated financial statements,  which
have been prepared in accordance with accounting  principles  generally accepted
in the United States of America.  The preparation of these financial  statements
requires  the Company to make  estimates  and  judgments  that  affect  reported
amounts of assets,  liabilities,  revenues and expenses, and related disclosures
of  contingent  assets  and  liabilities.  Management  bases  its  estimates  on
historical  experience  and  on  other  assumptions  that  are  believed  to  be
reasonable under the circumstances.  On an ongoing basis,  management  evaluates
estimates used,  including those related to inventory valuation under the retail
method;  revenue  recognition;  valuation of long-lived and  intangible  assets,
including goodwill; estimation of reserves and valuation allowances specifically
related to closed stores, insurance,  income taxes, litigation and environmental
contingencies;  and  pension  accounting.  Actual  results may differ from these
estimates  under  different  assumptions  or  conditions.  Item 7,  Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in the
2002 10-K includes  detailed  descriptions of certain  judgments that management
makes in applying its accounting policies in these areas.

                                      -14-


Consolidated Results of Operations

($ in millions except EPS)                          13 weeks ended
                                               -------------------------
                                                 Apr. 26,        Apr. 27,
                                                    2003            2002
                                                 ---------       ---------
Segment operating profit
     Department Stores and Catalog                  $ 83           $ 157
     Eckerd Drugstores                               118             100
                                                 ---------       ---------
Total segments                                       201             257
Other unallocated                                      7             (10)
Net interest expense                                (104)           (102)
Acquisition amortization                             (10)            (10)
                                                 ---------       ---------

Income before income taxes                            94             135
Income taxes                                         (33)            (49)
                                                 ---------       ---------
Net income                                          $ 61            $ 86
                                                 =========       =========

Earnings per share, diluted                       $ 0.20          $ 0.29
                                                 =========       =========

For the first quarter of 2003,  the Company  reported net income of $61 million,
or $0.20  per  share,  compared  to $86  million,  or $0.29  per  share  for the
comparable 2002 period. The decline in earnings is primarily the result of lower
sales and higher  SG&A  expenses in  Department  Stores and  Catalog,  partially
offset by gross margin improvement in both operating  segments.  Results in this
year's first quarter were impacted by a challenging retail environment and world
events.  EPS for the first  quarter of 2003 was  reduced by $0.06 as a result of
higher non-cash pension expense, as previously disclosed in the 2002 10-K.

Results of  operations  for the first  quarter of 2003  included  $21 million of
pre-tax gains on the sale of several  closed units,  $12 million of  accelerated
depreciation for catalog facilities  scheduled to close by the end of the second
quarter of 2003 and $3 million of expenses related to the present value of lease
obligations  (PVOL) for closed stores. For the first quarter of 2002, results of
operations included a $10 million pre-tax gain on the sale of a closed store and
$22 million of asset  impairments,  PVOL and other unit  closing  costs in Other
Unallocated.  These charges and credits are not  reflective  of normal  ongoing,
operating  performance.   Management  believes  discussion  of  these  items  is
important in assessing  the quality of earnings and the level of  sustainability
and  trends  going  forward.  Items  are  discussed  in  Note  11 and  in  Other
Unallocated on page 19.


                                      -15-



Segment Operating Results

Department Stores and Catalog

($ in millions)                                         13 weeks ended
                                                 -------------------------
                                                 Apr. 26,        Apr. 27,
                                                    2003            2002
                                                 ---------       ---------

Retail sales, net                                $ 3,723         $ 4,006
                                                 ---------       ---------
FIFO/LIFO gross margin                             1,460           1,514
SG&A expenses                                     (1,377)         (1,357)
                                                 ---------       ---------
Segment operating profit                            $ 83           $ 157
                                                 =========       =========

Sales percent (decrease)/increase:
    Comparable stores(1)                           (4.9)%            7.9%
    Total department stores                        (6.3)%            5.1%
    Catalog                                       (11.1)%          (24.8)%

Ratios as a percent of sales:
    FIFO/LIFO gross margin                          39.2%           37.8%
    SG&A expenses                                   37.0%           33.9%
    Segment operating profit                         2.2%            3.9%

(1)  Comparable  store sales  include sales from stores which have been open for
     12 consecutive  months. A store's sales become  comparable on the first day
     of the 13th fiscal month.

Segment  operating  profit of $83  million  for  Department  Stores and  Catalog
decreased 170 basis points to 2.2% of sales in this year's first  quarter,  from
$157 million, or 3.9% of sales in the same period last year. Contributing to the
decrease was a  challenging  retail  environment  compounded  by comparing  this
year's  results  against a  particularly  strong  first  quarter last year which
included the Company's very successful 100th  Anniversary  event.  Gross margins
continued  to  improve  and SG&A  expenses  were well  controlled  although  not
leveraged against soft sales for the quarter.

Comparable  department  store  sales  decreased  4.9%  compared to a strong 7.9%
increase in last year's  first  quarter.  Total  department  store sales for the
quarter decreased 6.3%. Many seasonal apparel  categories were soft and customer
response  to  storewide  events was weaker than last  year's  100th  Anniversary
promotion.  Divisions  that  experienced  sales gains were  Children's  and Fine
Jewelry.  Other specific  categories  that performed well were fashion  jewelry,
window coverings and the expanded housewares department.  Two new apparel lines,
Bisou   Bisou,   the  womens'   contemporary   sportswear,   and   Havanera,   a
Hispanic-influenced  menswear  brand,  were  launched  in the first  quarter and
exceeded planned sales for the quarter.

Catalog sales  decreased  11.1%  compared to last year  primarily as a result of
softer  customer  demand and planned  lower page  counts and lower  circulation.
Total  internet  sales are reported as a component  of catalog  sales and are an
integral  part of the  Company's  three-channel  retailing  strategy.  Including
shipping and handling fees,  internet sales increased  approximately 30% to $115
million from $89 million last year.

As discussed in Note 1, the Company  adopted EITF Issue 02-16,  "Accounting by a
Customer  (Including  a Reseller)  for  Certain  Consideration  Received  from a
Vendor," in the first quarter of 2003.  The impact on the first quarter  results
was a decrease in segment operating profit of approximately $5 million.

Gross  margin  continued  to improve,  increasing  140 basis  points to 39.2% of
sales.  This  compares with a 180 basis point  improvement  in last year's first
quarter.  Improvement continues to be the result of better merchandise offerings
and benefits from the centralized  merchandising model.  Benefits include larger
order  quantities,  which  contribute to lower costs,  more timely  selection of
merchandise, better supplier involvement from planning stages
                                      -16-


through sale of the  merchandise  and more efficient  delivery of merchandise to
stores. Also contributing to the improvement in margins were substantially lower
levels of catalog liquidation merchandise.

SG&A  expenses  increased  1.5% from last year's first  quarter due primarily to
higher planned  advertising,  transition  costs for the new store support center
(SSC)  distribution  network  and higher  non-cash  pension  expense.  Partially
offsetting these expense increases were savings in store labor costs as a result
of the transition to centralized  checkouts in department  stores (also referred
to as customer  service  centers),  progress  toward the elimination of in-store
receiving,  catalog expense management and benefits from centralized  management
of store expenses. The new SSC network for department stores is an integral part
of the Company's  centralization efforts. By the end of the first quarter, 12 of
the 13 planned SSCs were in  operation,  with the  remaining SSC scheduled to be
operational by the end of the second quarter of 2003. Once this new distribution
network matures, the Company expects to see additional benefits from operational
efficiencies and a consistently better flow of merchandise to individual stores.

As the Company continues  executing its turnaround program for Department Stores
and  Catalog,  steps have been taken to  continue  to  improve  the  merchandise
offerings  and  enhance  systems  to  provide  better  inventory  data  and more
visibility  into  merchandise  selling  patterns,   centralize  the  buying  and
distribution  process,  present a more integrated and powerful marketing message
and right-size the catalog operation. The successful execution of the turnaround
and progress toward improving the profitability of Department Stores and Catalog
is impacted by the customers'  response to the merchandise  offerings as well as
competitive conditions, the effects of the current economic climate and consumer
confidence.
                                      -17-




Eckerd Drugstores

($ in millions)                                         13 weeks ended
                                                --------------------------------
                                                    Apr. 26,         Apr. 27,
                                                       2003             2002
                                                --------------------------------

Retail sales, net                                   $ 3,770          $ 3,722
                                                ---------------   --------------

FIFO gross margin                                       873              854
LIFO charge                                              (7)             (15)
                                                ---------------   --------------
LIFO gross margin                                       866              839
SG&A expenses                                          (748)            (739)
                                                ---------------   --------------
Segment operating profit                              $ 118            $ 100
                                                ===============   ==============

Sales percent (decrease)/increase:
     Comparable stores(1)                             (1.1)%             7.6%
     Total sales                                        1.3%             7.6%

Ratios as a percent of sales:
     FIFO gross margin                                 23.1%            23.0%
     LIFO gross margin                                 22.9%            22.5%
     SG&A expenses                                     19.8%            19.8%
     Segment operating profit                           3.1%             2.7%

(1)  Comparable  store sales  include the sales from stores which have been open
     for at least one full year.  Comparable  store sales  include the sales for
     relocated stores.

Eckerd's segment operating profit,  while below  expectations,  increased 18% to
$118 million in this year's  first  quarter from $100 million in the same period
last year.  As a percent of sales,  operating  profit  increased 40 basis points
from 2.7% to 3.1%. The increase is primarily from gross margin improvement.

Comparable  store sales  decreased  1.1% for the quarter,  with  pharmacy  sales
increasing 1.6% and general  merchandise  (front-end) sales decreasing 6.5% from
last year. As a percent of total drugstore sales,  pharmacy sales were 69.3% for
the quarter versus 67.7% for the same period last year, an increase of 160 basis
points.  Sales to customers covered by third party programs such as managed care
organizations,  as well as government and private  insurance,  have continued to
increase as a percent of total  pharmacy  sales.  Third party pharmacy sales for
the first quarter of 2003  increased 80 basis points to 93.0% of total  pharmacy
sales.  Continued  pharmacy  sales growth is  dependent  on Eckerd's  ability to
attract and retain managed care customers.  Total pharmacy sales were negatively
impacted by  approximately  450 basis points from a shift from branded  drugs to
lower priced generic drugs and other changes in branded drugs,  such as Claritin
being made available over the counter.  Although the shift to more generic drugs
negatively  affects pharmacy sales, it typically improves margins. A challenging
retail  environment  as well as  competitor  store  openings  and a soft tourist
market impacted  front-end sales. The strongest general  merchandise  categories
were over-the-counter products, beverages and seasonal items.

LIFO gross  margin for the  quarter  increased  40 basis  points as a percent of
sales compared to last year. Gross margin benefited  primarily from a lower LIFO
charge   resulting   from   lower   inflation   for   prescription   drugs   and
over-the-counter  products. Gross margin also benefited from the continued shift
from branded prescriptions to generics and lower shrinkage.

As a percent of sales,  SG&A  expenses for the quarter  increased  1.2% and were
flat with  last year as a percent  of  sales.  Payroll  savings  were  offset by
increases in rent expense  associated with new and relocated  stores, as well as
advertising  and  insurance  expense.  During the  quarter,  eight  stores  were
relocated, 12 new stores opened and 115 stores were remodeled. By the end of the
first quarter of 2003,  about 60% of the stores were  operating in the new store
format.  The new format stores are more  efficient to operate and  contribute to
improved operating results.
                                      -18-



Eckerd has entered the last year of its stated  three-year  turnaround  program.
Operating results in the first quarter were below original  expectations and the
weak sales  environment  is expected to impact the second  quarter as well. As a
result,  management has pushed back its FIFO segment  operating profit target of
4% to 4.5% of sales to 2004.  Changes continue to be made to the Eckerd business
model to improve the fundamentals of the business and the long-term  competitive
position  in the  industry.  The  Company is taking a number of steps to improve
Eckerd's sales trends, including planning to open or relocate 250 stores in 2003
and in each of the next several years. In addition, Eckerd is making adjustments
to its merchandise and marketing  programs.  The successful  continuation of the
Eckerd  turnaround  is  dependent  on  Eckerd's  ability to  attract  and retain
customers  through  various  marketing  and  merchandising  programs,  to secure
suitable  new  drugstore  locations at  favorable  lease terms,  to continue the
remodeling program for drugstores,  to attract and retain qualified pharmacists,
and to maintain favorable  reimbursement  rates from managed care organizations,
governmental and other third-party payors.


Other Unallocated
-------------------

Other unallocated consists of real estate activities,  investment  transactions,
and other items that are related to corporate  initiatives or activities,  which
are not  allocated  to an operating  segment but are  included in total  Company
operating  income.  Other  unallocated  for the first  quarter of 2003 was a net
credit of $7  million,  which  consisted  of $21 million of gains on the sale of
closed units,  $12 million of  accelerated  depreciation  of catalog  facilities
scheduled  to close,  $3 million of  expenses  related to future rent for closed
units,  a $4 million credit for real estate  operations,  $2 million of expenses
related to the Eckerd receivables  financing,  and $1 million of other expenses.
First quarter 2002 results included $22 million of asset  impairments on certain
underperforming  department stores, PVOL for stores scheduled to close and other
unit closing  activities,  a $10 million gain on the sale of a closed store,  $6
million of real estate operating  activities,  $1 million of expenses related to
the  Eckerd  receivables  financing  and a $3  million  loss  from  third  party
fulfillment activities.


Net Interest Expense
---------------------

Net interest  expense for the first quarter was $2 million  higher than the same
period  last  year.  The  increase  is related  to lower  returns on  short-term
investments,  partially  offset by lower interest  expense from reduced  average
borrowing levels.


Acquisition Amortization
------------------------

The  amortization  of intangible  assets with estimable  useful lives related to
major business  acquisitions  was $10 million for first quarter of both 2003 and
2002.  Acquisition  amortization is expected to be approximately $40 million for
full year 2003.


Income Taxes
------------

The Company's  effective income tax rate was 35.4% for the first quarter of 2003
compared  with  36.5%  for the same  period  last  year.  The  improved  rate is
primarily due to increased utilization of state tax benefits.

                                      -19-



Merchandise Inventories
------------------------

On  April  26,  2003,  consolidated  merchandise  inventories  on the  first-in,
first-out  (FIFO) basis were $5,496 million  compared to $5,295 million at April
27, 2002 and $5,348 million at January 25, 2003.  The 3.8% increase  compared to
last year's first quarter reflects higher  inventories in Department  Stores and
Catalog.

Inventories  on a FIFO  basis for the  Department  Stores  and  Catalog  segment
totaled  $3,189 million and $2,983 million at April 26, 2003 and April 27, 2002,
respectively.  Inventory  levels  were  planned  to be higher at the end of this
year's first quarter because last year  department  stores had low levels of key
basic and fashion merchandise.  Because of sales shortfalls in this year's first
quarter, inventories are slightly higher than planned.

Eckerd Drugstore  inventories on a FIFO basis, at $2,307 million, were flat with
the end of last year's first quarter.  Eckerd continues to eliminate slow-moving
merchandise, concentrating on being in stock on high-velocity items.

The current  cost of  consolidated  inventories  exceeded  the LIFO basis amount
carried on the balance  sheet by  approximately  $410 million at April 26, 2003,
$393  million  at April 27,  2002 and $403  million  at January  25,  2003.  The
drugstore   segment   comprises   the  majority  of  the  LIFO  reserve  and  is
predominantly the result of inflation on prescription inventories.


Liquidity and Capital Resources
-------------------------------

The Company's financial condition remains strong with approximately $2.6 billion
in cash and  short-term  investments  as of April  26,  2003,  which  represents
approximately 43% of the total of the $5.8 billion of outstanding long-term debt
plus the proceeds of $250 million from the securitization of Eckerd managed care
receivables.  Included in the total cash and short-term  investment balance were
restricted  short-term  investment balances of $87 million as of April 26, 2003,
which are pledged as collateral for import letters of credit not included in the
bank credit  facility and for a portion of casualty  program  liabilities.  Cash
flow used in operating activities for the first quarter of 2003 was $254 million
compared to cash flow generated from operating activities of $274 million in the
comparable  period of 2002.  The decrease was due primarily to cash used to fund
investments in inventory and pay operating liabilities.

The Company's liquidity position was further  strengthened in February 2003 with
the completion of two financing  transactions.  First,  on February 3, 2003, the
Company  raised  approximately  $50 million by  securitizing  additional  Eckerd
managed care receivables (See Note 5). Second,  on February 28, 2003, JCP issued
$600 million  principal  amount of  unsecured 8% Notes Due 2010  ("Notes") at an
effective  rate of 8.125% with the Holding  Company as co-obligor  (See Note 8).
Additional  liquidity  strengths  include  the  available  $1.5  billion  credit
facility  discussed  in the  2002  10-K  and  significant  unencumbered  assets,
primarily Eckerd inventory, which totaled $2,307 million at April 26, 2003, that
could be used to secure additional short-term funding, if needed. No borrowings,
other than the issuance of trade and stand-by  letters of credit,  which totaled
$200  million as of the end of the first  quarter of 2003,  have been made under
this credit facility. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants
of the credit facility at April 26, 2003.

For the remainder of 2003,  management  believes that cash flow  generated  from
operations,  combined with the short-term investment position,  will be adequate
to fund cash requirements for capital expenditures, working capital and dividend
payments and,  therefore,  no external funding will be required.  The payment of
dividends  is subject to  approval  by the  Company's  Board of  Directors  on a
quarterly  basis. At the present time,  management does not expect to access the
capital markets for any external  financing for the remainder of 2003.  However,
the Company manages its financial  position on a multi-year basis and may access
the capital  markets on an  opportunistic  basis.  On May 29,  2003,  Standard &
Poor's (S&P)  downgraded the Company's  corporate  credit,  senior unsecured and
secured  bank loan ratings to BB+ from BBB-.  This change  brings the S&P rating
more in line with the Moody's and Fitch ratings.  This change is not expected to
impact the Company's  liquidity or financial position as the lower credit rating
had already been incorporated into the long-term financing strategy.
                                      -20-


Management  believes  that the  Company's  financial  position  will continue to
provide the financial flexibility to support its turnaround initiatives.

Operating cash flows may be impacted by many factors,  including the competitive
conditions  in the retail  industry,  and the  effects of the  current  economic
conditions  and  consumer  confidence.  Based  on the  nature  of the  Company's
businesses, management considers the above factors to be normal business risks.

Capital  expenditures  were $163 million the first quarter of 2003 compared with
$126  million for the  comparable  2002  period.  This year's  investments  were
primarily for new and relocated Eckerd  drugstores and the continued  remodeling
of  existing  Eckerd   drugstores,   as  well  as  investments  to  support  the
implementation of the SSC distribution network for department stores, department
store  modernizations  and  renewals  and  technology  improvements.  Management
continues to expect total  capital  expenditures  for the full year to be in the
range of $900 million to $1.1  billion,  about evenly split  between  department
stores and Eckerd.

A quarterly  dividend of $0.125 per share on the  Company's  outstanding  common
stock was paid on  February  1, 2003 to  stockholders  of record on January  10,
2003.


Stock Option Accounting
-----------------------

As discussed in the 2002 10-K, the Company follows  Accounting  Principles Board
Opinion (APB) No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," which does not
require  expense  recognition  for stock  options when the exercise  price of an
option equals, or exceeds, the fair market value of the common stock on the date
of grant.  Among other reasons,  the Company  follows APB 25 accounting  because
management  believes  that the impact of options  is already  factored  into the
earnings calculation through the dilutive effect of option shares.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is currently reviewing the rules
governing stock option  accounting and has made a tentative  decision to require
expense  recognition of stock options in the statement of  operations.  The FASB
intends to develop  revised rules that would be effective for 2004.  The Company
will  adopt any new rules  required  by the FASB  when  they are  effective.  As
disclosed in the 2002 10-K, the annual impact of expensing stock options for the
Company  using current  valuation  models would be  approximately  five to seven
cents per share.  See Note 1 for the pro forma  impact on the first  quarters of
2003 and 2002.


Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
-----------------------------------------

Recently  issued  accounting  pronouncements  are  discussed  in  Note  1 to the
unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.


Pre-Approval of Auditor Services
---------------------------------

During the first quarter of 2003, the Audit  Committee of the Company's Board of
Directors  approved  estimated  fees for the  remainder  of 2003  related to the
performance  of both audit and  allowable  non-audit  services by the  Company's
external auditors, KPMG LLP.


Seasonality
-------------

The  Company's  business  depends to a great  extent on the last  quarter of the
year. Historically,  sales for that period have averaged approximately one-third
of  annual  sales  and  comprise  about  45% of the  Company's  annual  profits.
Accordingly, the results of operations for the 13 weeks ended April 26, 2003 are
not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year.

                                      -21-


Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

The Company is exposed to market  risks in the normal  course of business due to
changes in interest  rates and currency  exchange  rates.  The Company's  market
risks related to interest rates at April 26, 2003 are similar to those disclosed
in the  Company's  2002 10-K.  For the 13 weeks  ended  April 26, 2003 the other
comprehensive  income on foreign currency translation was $8 million. Due to the
relatively  small  size of  foreign  operations,  management  believes  that its
exposure to market risk  associated  with  foreign  currencies  would not have a
material impact on its financial condition or results of operations.


Item 4 - Controls and Procedures

Based on their  evaluation of the Company's  disclosure  controls and procedures
(as defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c)  under the Securities  Exchange Act
of 1934) as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q, the Company's  principal executive officer and principal financial
officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are
effective for the purpose of ensuring that material  information  required to be
in this  Quarterly  Report is made  known to them by  others on a timely  basis.
There were no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other
factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of
their most recent evaluation.


This report may  contain  forward-looking  statements  within the meaning of the
Private  Securities   Litigation  Reform  Act  of  1995.  Such   forward-looking
statements,  which  reflect the  Company's  current  views of future  events and
financial  performance,  involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties  that
may cause the Company's  actual results to be materially  different from planned
or expected results.  Those risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited
to,  competition,   consumer  demand,  seasonality,   economic  conditions,  and
government  activity.  Investors should take such risks into account when making
investment decisions.
                                      -22-




PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 - Legal Proceedings

         The Company has no material legal proceedings pending against it.


Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)      Exhibits

         The following documents are filed as exhibits to this report:

          o    99(i)  Certificate of Allen  Questrom  Pursuant to Section 906 of
               the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

          o    99(ii) Certificate of Robert B. Cavanaugh Pursuant to Section 906
               of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

(b)      Reports on Form 8-K

          The  Company filed the following  report on Form 8-K during the period
               covered in this report:

          o    Current  Report on Form 8-K dated  March 3, 2003  (Item 5 - Other
               Events  and  Regulation  FD   Disclosure;   Item  7  -  Financial
               Statements and Exhibits)

                                      -23-




                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.






                                        J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.
                                        By   /s/ W. J. Alcorn
                                            -------------------
                                                 W. J. Alcorn
                                        Senior Vice President and Controller
                                        (Principal Accounting Officer)









Date: June 10, 2003
                                      -24-


                                 CERTIFICATIONS

I, Allen Questrom, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, certify that:

1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of J. C. Penney Company,
     Inc.;

2.   Based on my knowledge,  this  quarterly  report does not contain any untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact  necessary to
     make the statements  made, in light of the  circumstances  under which such
     statements  were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by
     this quarterly report;

3.   Based on my  knowledge,  the  financial  statements,  and  other  financial
     information  included  in this  quarterly  report,  fairly  present  in all
     material respects the financial  condition,  results of operations and cash
     flows of the  registrant  as of, and for,  the  periods  presented  in this
     quarterly report;

4.   The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers  and I are  responsible  for
     establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
     in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

     a)   designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  to ensure  that
          material  information  relating  to  the  registrant,   including  its
          consolidated subsidiaries,  is made known to us by others within those
          entities,  particularly  during  the  period in which  this  quarterly
          report is being prepared;

     b)   evaluated the  effectiveness of the registrant's  disclosure  controls
          and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of
          this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

     c)   presented  in  this  quarterly   report  our  conclusions   about  the
          effectiveness  of the disclosure  controls and procedures based on our
          evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.   The registrant's other certifying  officers and I have disclosed,  based on
     our most recent  evaluation,  to the  registrant's  auditors  and the audit
     committee of  registrant's  board of directors (or persons  performing  the
     equivalent functions):

     a)   all  significant  deficiencies  in the design or operation of internal
          controls  which could  adversely  affect the  registrant's  ability to
          record,  process,   summarize  and  report  financial  data  and  have
          identified for the  registrant's  auditors any material  weaknesses in
          internal controls; and

     b)   any fraud, whether or not material,  that involves management or other
          employees who have a  significant  role in the  registrant's  internal
          controls; and

6.   The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers and I have indicated in this
     quarterly report whether or not there were significant  changes in internal
     controls  or in other  factors  that could  significantly  affect  internal
     controls  subsequent to the date of our most recent  evaluation,  including
     any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material
     weaknesses.

Date:  June 10, 2003.
                                            /s/ Allen Questrom
                                            --------------------------
                                            Allen Questrom
                                            Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
                                            J. C. Penney Company, Inc.

                                      -25-


                                 CERTIFICATIONS


I, Robert B. Cavanaugh,  Executive Vice President and Chief  Financial  Officer,
certify that:

1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of J. C. Penney Company,
     Inc.;

2.   Based on my knowledge,  this  quarterly  report does not contain any untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact  necessary to
     make the statements  made, in light of the  circumstances  under which such
     statements  were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by
     this quarterly report;

3.   Based on my  knowledge,  the  financial  statements,  and  other  financial
     information  included  in this  quarterly  report,  fairly  present  in all
     material respects the financial  condition,  results of operations and cash
     flows of the  registrant  as of, and for,  the  periods  presented  in this
     quarterly report;

4.   The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers  and I are  responsible  for
     establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
     in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

     a)   designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  to ensure  that
          material  information  relating  to  the  registrant,   including  its
          consolidated subsidiaries,  is made known to us by others within those
          entities,  particularly  during  the  period in which  this  quarterly
          report is being prepared;

     b)   evaluated the  effectiveness of the registrant's  disclosure  controls
          and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of
          this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

     c)   presented  in  this  quarterly   report  our  conclusions   about  the
          effectiveness  of the disclosure  controls and procedures based on our
          evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.   The registrant's other certifying  officers and I have disclosed,  based on
     our most recent  evaluation,  to the  registrant's  auditors  and the audit
     committee of  registrant's  board of directors (or persons  performing  the
     equivalent functions):

     a)   all  significant  deficiencies  in the design or operation of internal
          controls  which could  adversely  affect the  registrant's  ability to
          record,  process,   summarize  and  report  financial  data  and  have
          identified for the  registrant's  auditors any material  weaknesses in
          internal controls; and

     b)   any fraud, whether or not material,  that involves management or other
          employees who have a  significant  role in the  registrant's  internal
          controls; and

6.   The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers and I have indicated in this
     quarterly report whether or not there were significant  changes in internal
     controls  or in other  factors  that could  significantly  affect  internal
     controls  subsequent to the date of our most recent  evaluation,  including
     any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material
     weaknesses.


Date:  June 10, 2003.
                                            /s/ Robert B. Cavanaugh
                                            ----------------------------
                                            Robert B. Cavanaugh
                                            Executive Vice President and
                                            Chief Financial Officer
                                            J. C. Penney Company, Inc.

                                      -26-