FORM 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D. C. 20549


(Mark One)

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


 For the quarterly period ended October 25, 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.

273,024,835  shares of Common  Stock of 50 cents par value,  as of  December  3,
2003.



                                      INDEX
                                                                                                     

                                                                                                              Page
                                                                                                         ----------

    Item 1.          Unaudited 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                                                                 16

    Item 3.          Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk                                26

    Item 4.          Controls and Procedures                                                                   26


Part II              Other Information

    Item 1.          Legal Proceedings                                                                         27

    Item 6.          Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                                          27

Signature Page                                                                                                 28





                         -i-                          J. C. Penney Company, Inc.


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                    39 weeks ended
                                                              --------------------------      -----------------------------
                                                               Oct. 25,       Oct. 26,          Oct. 25,        Oct. 26,
                                                                  2003           2002              2003            2002
                                                              ------------   -----------      -------------   -------------

       Retail sales, net                                        $ 7,985     $   7,872        $   22,791      $   22,798

       Costs and expenses
         Cost of goods sold                                      5,483          5,470            15,816          15,908
         Selling, general and administrative expenses            2,261          2,153             6,428           6,289
         Other unallocated                                           6              4               (12)             19
         Net interest expense                                      107             97               319             291
         Acquisition amortization                                    7              8                25              25
                                                              ---------      ---------         ---------       ---------
       Total costs and expenses                                  7,864          7,732            22,576          22,532
                                                              ---------      ---------         ---------       ---------
       Income from continuing operations before
         income taxes                                              121            140               215             266
       Income taxes                                                (41)           (51)              (74)            (97)
                                                              ---------      ---------         ---------       ---------
       Income from continuing operations                        $   80          $  89           $   141         $   169

       Gain on sale of discontinued operations                       -             34                 -              34
                                                              ---------      ---------         ---------       ---------
       Net income                                               $   80         $  123           $   141         $   203

       Less:  preferred stock dividends                             (6)            (6)              (19)            (20)
                                                              ---------      ---------         ---------       ---------
       Net income applicable to common
          stockholders                                           $  74         $  117            $  122         $   183
                                                              ==========    ==========        ==========      ==========


       Earnings per share from continuing operations:
          Basic                                               $   0.27        $  0.31           $  0.45        $   0.56
          Diluted                                             $   0.27        $  0.30           $  0.45        $   0.55

       Earnings per share:
          Basic                                               $   0.27        $  0.44           $  0.45        $   0.68
          Diluted                                             $   0.27        $  0.42           $  0.45        $   0.68
The  accompanying  notes  are  an  integral  part  of  these  unaudited  Interim
Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                      -1-             J. C. Penney Company, Inc.



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


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

Assets
Current assets
   Cash and short-term investments
   (including restricted balances of $87, $89 and $86)                    $  1,939         $   1,748         $  2,474

   Receivables (net of bad debt reserves of
        $14, $24 and $14)                                                      736               764              705

   Merchandise inventory (net of LIFO reserves
        of $428, $410 and $403)                                              6,060             5,943            4,945

   Prepaid expenses                                                            172               137              118
                                                                             ------            ------           ------
       Total current assets                                                  8,907             8,592            8,242

Property and equipment (net of accumulated
   depreciation of $3,464, $3,362 and $3,253)                                4,859             4,866            4,901

Goodwill                                                                     2,311             2,302            2,304

Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization
   of $367, $300 and $322)                                                     459               506              494

Other assets                                                                 2,068             1,516            1,815
                                                                             ------            ------           ------

 Total Assets                                                            $  18,604        $   17,782        $  17,756
                                                                           ========         =========        =========


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

                             -2-                      J. C. Penney Company, Inc.



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

                                                                                                       

       ($ in millions except per share data)
                                                                           Oct. 25,          Oct. 26,         Jan. 25,
                                                                             2003              2002             2003
                                                                            ------            ------           ------
       Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
       Current liabilities
            Accounts payable and accrued expenses                         $  3,722         $   3,988         $  3,680
            Short-term debt                                                     29                15               13
            Current maturities of long-term debt                               502                28              288
            Deferred taxes                                                     197               161               80
                                                                             ------            ------           ------

                 Total current liabilities                                   4,450             4,192            4,061

       Long-term debt                                                        5,138             5,169            4,927

       Deferred taxes                                                        1,519             1,236            1,391

       Other liabilities                                                       994               967            1,007
                                                                             ------            ------           ------

                 Total Liabilities                                          12,101            11,564           11,386

       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                           310               339              333
            Common stock, par value $0.50 per share: authorized,
                 1,250 million shares; issued and outstanding,
                 273, 268 and 269 million shares                             3,505             3,414            3,423
                                                                             ------            ------           ------

       Total capital stock                                                   3,815             3,753            3,756
                                                                             ------            ------           ------

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

            Net income                                                         141               203              405
            Dividends declared                                                (114)             (114)            (161)
                                                                             ------            ------           ------

       Reinvested earnings at end of period                                  2,844             2,662            2,817

            Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)                            (156)             (197)           (203)
                                                                             ------            ------           ------


                 Total Stockholders' Equity                                  6,503             6,218            6,370

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

       Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity                         $ 18,604          $ 17,782         $ 17,756
                                                                          ========          ========         ========




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

                                -3-                   J. C. Penney Company, Inc.

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

                                                                                                          
       ($ in millions)
                                                                                                 39 weeks ended
                                                                                     -------------------------------------
                                                                                        Oct. 25,                 Oct. 26,
                                                                                          2003                     2002
                                                                                     ---------------           -------------

       Cash flows from operating activities:
       Income from continuing operations                                                 $  141                   $  169
       Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations
            to net cash from operating activities:
                Asset impairments, PVOL and other unit closing costs                         27                       30
                Depreciation and amortization, including intangible assets                  531                      486
                Net gains on sale of assets                                                 (51)                     (15)
                Benefit plans expense                                                        66                        8
                Pension contribution                                                       (300)                       -
                Vesting of restricted stock awards                                            6                        5

                Deferred taxes                                                              245                       67
                Change in cash from:
                    Receivables                                                             (31)                     (66)

                    Inventory                                                            (1,115)                  (1,013)
                    Prepaid expenses and other assets                                       (13)                      (6)
                    Accounts payable                                                        473                      888
                    Current income taxes payable                                           (196)                     (30)
                    Other liabilities                                                      (145)                    (156)
                                                                                         -------                  -------

       Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities                                 (362)                     367
                                                                                         -------                  -------

       Cash flows from investing activities:
       Capital expenditures                                                                (544)                    (451)
       Proceeds from sale of assets                                                          89                       32
                                                                                         -------                  -------

       Net cash (used in) investing activities                                             (455)                    (419)
                                                                                         -------                  -------


       Cash flows from financing activities:
       Change in short-term debt                                                             16                        -
       Proceeds from equipment financing                                                      9                       18

       Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                         586                        -
       Payment of long-term debt, including capital leases                                 (221)                    (941)
       Common stock issued, net                                                              29                       21
       Preferred stock redeemed                                                             (23)                     (24)
      Dividends paid                                                                       (114)                    (114)
                                                                                         -------                  -------

       Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities                                  282                   (1,040)
                                                                                         -------                  -------


       Net (decrease) in cash and short-term investments                                   (535)                  (1,092)
       Cash and short-term investments at beginning of year                               2,474                    2,840
                                                                                         -------                  -------

       Cash and short-term investments at end of period                                $  1,939                 $  1,748
                                                                                        ========                 ========


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


                                -4-                   J. C. Penney Company, Inc.





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 for associates that provides for
grants of stock  awards,  stock  appreciation  rights or options to purchase the
Company's  common  stock.  The  Company  accounts  for stock  options  under the
recognition and measurement  principles of Accounting  Principles  Board Opinion
No. 25 (APB  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-                   J. C. Penney Company, Inc.





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  No.  123  (SFAS  123),   "Accounting  for
Stock-Based Compensation," to stock options.

                                                                                                        
$ in millions, except EPS                                          13 weeks ended                   39 weeks ended
                                                              ---------------------------    ---------------------------

                                                               Oct. 25,         Oct. 26,         Oct. 25,       Oct. 26,
                                                                  2003             2002             2003           2002
                                                              ----------      -----------      -----------     ----------

Net income - as reported                                        $   80           $  123           $  141         $  203
  Add:  Stock-based employee compensation
      expense included in reported net income, net of
      related tax effects                                            1                1                3              3

  Deduct:  Total stock-based employee compensation
      expense determined under fair value
      method(1) for all awards, net of related
      tax effects                                                   (6)              (6)             (18)           (18)
                                                               ---------       ----------       ----------      ---------

  Pro forma net income                                           $  75          $   118          $   126        $   188
                                                               =========        =========       ==========      =========


  Earnings per share:
      Basic--as reported                                      $   0.27          $  0.44          $  0.45        $  0.68
      Basic--pro forma                                        $   0.25          $  0.42          $  0.39        $  0.63

      Diluted--as reported                                    $   0.27          $  0.42          $  0.45        $  0.68
      Diluted--pro forma                                      $   0.25          $  0.40          $  0.39        $  0.62

(1) The fair value of each option grant for the Company's  plans is estimated on
the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.



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

EITF 02-16

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 resulted in lower net income for the Company of
approximately  $1 million for the third quarter and $5 million in the first nine
months of 2003.

FIN 45

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 11.  Adoption of FIN 45 did not have a material
impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

                                -6-                   J. C. Penney Company, Inc.



FIN 46

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. In October 2003,  the FASB delayed the effective  date of this
rule until the fourth quarter for any VIEs acquired  before  February 1, 2003 in
which a variable interest is held. The adoption of these provisions of FIN 46 is
not expected to have a material  impact on its  financial  position,  results of
operations or cash flows.

SFAS 150

In May 2003,  the FASB issued SFAS No. 150,  "Accounting  for Certain  Financial
Instruments  with  Characteristics  of both  Liabilities  and Equity."  SFAS 150
establishes  standards  that  require  companies to classify  certain  financial
instruments as liabilities that were previously  classified as equity.  SFAS 150
was effective for financial  instruments  entered into or modified after May 31,
2003,  and  there  was no  second  quarter  impact  on the  Company's  financial
statements.  The remaining  provisions of SFAS 150 were adopted beginning in the
third quarter of 2003,  and did not have a material  impact on its  consolidated
financial position or operating results.

EITF 01-8

Additionally,   in  May  2003,  the  EITF  reached   consensus  on  Issue  01-8,
"Determining  Whether  an  Arrangement  Contains  a Lease."  This  pronouncement
provides guidance in determining whether an arrangement contains a lease that is
within the scope of SFAS 13,  "Accounting  for Leases." If the delivery of goods
or services is dependent on the use of specified  property,  plant and equipment
(property) and if the purchaser (lessee) has the right to operate or control the
property  while  controlling or obtaining more than a minor amount of the output
or other utility of the property,  the arrangement may be required to be treated
as a lease.  This  consensus  was  required  to be  applied  to new or  modified
arrangements  entered into in the Company's third quarter.  The adoption of EITF
01-8 did not have a  material  impact on the  Company's  consolidated  financial
position or operating results.


2)       Discontinued Operations
         -----------------------

In 2001,  the Company  closed on the sale of the assets of J. C.  Penney  Direct
Marketing Services, Inc. During 2002, a change in federal income tax regulations
was  issued  that  entitled  the  Company  to  additional  tax  benefits  on the
transaction from increased capital loss deductions. The Internal Revenue Service
concurred  that the Company was entitled to an additional  deduction and entered
into an  agreement  with the  Company  with  respect  to the  reporting  of this
additional  deduction.  The $34 million  reduction of the tax liability from the
original  tax  provision  on  the  sale  is  presented  as a  gain  on  sale  of
discontinued  operations  in the  third  quarter  of  2002  in the  accompanying
consolidated statement of operations.

                                -7-                   J. C. Penney Company, Inc.


3) 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.

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share follows:

                                                                                                  

(In millions, except per share data)                              13 weeks ended                 39 weeks ended
                                                             -------------------------      -------------------------
                                                             -------------------------      -------------------------
                                                              Oct. 25,      Oct. 26,         Oct. 25,      Oct. 26,
                                                                 2003          2002              2003         2002
                                                             -----------  ------------      -----------   -----------
Earnings:
Income from continuing operations                            $     80     $      89         $     141     $    169
Less: preferred stock dividends                                    (6)           (6)              (19)         (20)

                                                             -----------  ------------      -----------   -----------
Income from continuing operations applicable
    to common stockholders                                   $     74     $      83         $     122     $    149
Adjustment for assumed dilution:
    Interest on 5% convertible debt, net of tax                     6             5                 -            -
                                                             -----------  ------------      -----------   -----------
Income from continuing operations used
    for diluted EPS                                          $     80     $      88         $     122     $    149
                                                             ===========  ============      ===========   ===========

Income from continuing operations applicable to
    common stockholders                                      $     74     $      83         $     122     $    149
Gain on sale of discontinued operations                             -            34                 -           34
                                                             -----------  ------------      -----------   -----------
Net income applicable to common stockholders                 $     74     $     117         $     122     $    183
Adjustment for assumed dilution:
    Interest on 5% convertible debt, net of tax                     6             5                -
                                                             -----------  ------------      -----------   -----------
Income used for diluted EPS                                  $     80     $     122         $     122     $    183
                                                             ===========  ============      ===========   ===========
Shares:
Average shares outstanding (basic shares)                         272           268               271          267
Adjustment for assumed dilution:
    Stock options and restricted stock units                        3             1                 3            3
    5% convertible debentures                                      23            23                 -            -
                                                             -----------  ------------      -----------   -----------
Average shares used for diluted EPS                               298           292               274          270
                                                             ===========  ============      ===========   ===========
Earnings per share from continuing operations:
Basic                                                        $   0.27     $    0.31         $    0.45     $   0.56
Diluted                                                      $   0.27     $    0.30         $    0.45     $   0.55

Earnings per share:
Basic                                                        $   0.27     $    0.44         $    0.45     $   0.68
Diluted                                                      $   0.27     $    0.42         $    0.45     $   0.68




                                -8-                   J. C. Penney Company, Inc.



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


                                                                                                    
(Shares in millions)                                          13 weeks ended                    39 weeks ended
                                                         -------------------------          ------------------------
                                                         -------------------------          ------------------------
                                                          Oct. 25,       Oct. 26,            Oct. 25,      Oct. 26,
                                                             2003           2002                2003          2002
                                                         ----------    -----------          ----------    ----------
Stock options                                                 7.8 (1)       13.7 (2)            17.2 (3)      13.1 (4)
$650 million notes convertible at $28.50 per share              -              -                22.8          22.8
Preferred stock                                              10.4           11.4                10.7          11.6
                                                         ----------    -----------          ----------    ----------

   Total anti-dilutive potential shares                      18.2           25.1                50.7          47.5
                                                         ==========    ===========          ==========    ==========
(1)      Exercise prices ranged from $21 to $71.
(2)      Exercise prices ranged from $17 to $71.
(3)      Exercise prices ranged from $19 to $71.
(4)      Exercise prices ranged from $20 to $71.



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

Restricted  short-term  investment balances of $87 million,  $89 million and $86
million  as of  October  25,  2003,  October  26,  2002 and  January  25,  2003,
respectively, were included in the total cash and short-term investment balances
of $1,939 million, $1,748 million and $2,474 million for the respective periods.
Restricted  balances  are pledged as  collateral  for import  letters of credit,
which  are 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  included $23 million,  $5 million and $6 million of
cash  as  of  October  25,  2003,   October  26,  2002  and  January  25,  2003,
respectively.

5)  Supplemental Cash Flow Information
    ----------------------------------

($  in millions)                              39 weeks ended
                                    -----------------------------------
                                     Oct. 25, 2003       Oct. 26, 2002
                                    -----------------    --------------
     Interest paid                        $370              $ 371
     Interest received
                                            19                 29
     Income taxes paid                      41                 47

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  $29 million  and $5 million of  drugstore  equipment
     utilizing  capital  leases  in the  first  nine  months  of 2003 and  2002,
     respectively.

o    During the first nine months of 2002, the Company  exchanged  certain notes
     and  debentures  with a net  carrying  amount of $227 million for new notes
     recorded at a fair value of $225 million.


6)  Eckerd Managed Care Receivables Securitization
    ----------------------------------------------

The outstanding balance of Eckerd's managed care receivable financing program at
the end of the third quarter was approximately $201 million, or $43 million less
than the second quarter of 2003. The  outstanding  balance  fluctuates  monthly,
based on the managed care  receivable  balances and their related  concentration
limits for third party  processors  and program  reserves.  Losses and  expenses
related to receivables sold under this agreement for the third quarter and first
nine  months of 2003  were $1  million  and $4  million,  respectively,  and are
included in other  unallocated in the  accompanying  consolidated  statements of
operations.  Losses and expenses for the third  quarter and first nine months of
2002 were $1 million and $3 million, respectively.

                                -9-                    J. C. Penney Company,Inc.




7) Goodwill
   ---------

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 (as of the end of the  fiscal  year),  or when  there is reason to believe
that their values have been diminished or impaired. These tests are performed on
each  business  of the  Company  where  goodwill  is  recorded.  There  were  no
impairment  losses related to goodwill or intangible  assets recorded during the
first nine months of 2003 or 2002.

The carrying amounts of goodwill were $2,311 million,  $2,302 million and $2,304
million  as of  October  25,  2003,  October  26,  2002 and  January  25,  2003,
respectively.  The  changes in carrying  value are  related to foreign  currency
translation  adjustments.  At October 25,  2003,  the total  carrying  amount of
goodwill  consisted of $42 million for the Department  Store and Catalog segment
and $2,269 million for the Eckerd Drugstore segment.


8) Intangible Assets
   -----------------

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

                                                                                                      
 ($ in millions)                                            Oct. 25,                  Oct 26,                  Jan. 25,
                                                               2003                     2002                      2003
                                                         ---------------          ----------------         -----------------
Intangible assets:
    Prescription files                                       $  299                   $  279                   $   289
    Less accumulated amortization                               184                      146                       157
                                                         ---------------          ----------------         -----------------
    Prescription files, net                                     115                      133                       132
                                                         ---------------          ----------------         -----------------

    Favorable lease rights                                      205                      205                       205
    Less accumulated amortization                               183                      154                       165
                                                         ---------------          ----------------         -----------------
    Favorable lease rights, net                                  22                       51                        40
                                                         ---------------          ----------------         -----------------

    Eckerd trade name (non-amortizing)                          322                      322                       322

                                                         ---------------          ----------------         -----------------
Total intangible assets                                      $  459                   $  506                    $  494
                                                         ===============          ================         =================


The net carrying  amount of intangible  assets  decreased $35 million during the
first  nine  months  of 2003  due to $45  million  of  amortization,  which  was
partially offset by $10 million of prescription files acquired.

Amortization Expense
--------------------

The following table provides amortization expense for the periods presented.

                                                                                            
($ in millions)                                           13 weeks ended                  39 weeks ended
                                                     --------------------------     ---------------------------

                                                      Oct. 25,       Oct 26,           Oct. 25,        Oct. 26,
                                                        2003          2002                2003            2002
                                                     ----------    ------------     ------------    -----------

Major business acquisitions (1)                          $ 7            $  8             $ 25           $ 25
Other acquisitions (2)                                     8               6               20             17
                                                     ----------    ------------     ------------    -----------
                                                                                    ------------    -----------
   Total for amortizing intangible assets               $ 15            $ 14             $ 45           $ 42
                                                     ==========    ============     ============    ===========


(1)  Acquisition  amortization  on the  consolidated  statements  of  operations
     represents the amortization expense related to major business acquisitions,
     including  Eckerd  Corporation  acquired in early 1997,  Lojas  Renner S.A.
     acquired in January 1999 and Genovese Drug Stores,  Inc.  acquired in March
     1999.

(2)  Amortization expense for other acquisitions is included in selling, general
     and administrative (SG&A) expenses.

                                -10-                  J. C. Penney Company, Inc.


Amortization  expense  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.  Amortization expense for other acquisitions is expected
to be  approximately  (in millions)  $27, $26, $21, $16 and $11 for fiscal years
2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.


9) Restructuring Reserves
   ----------------------

At October 25, 2003,  the  consolidated  balance  sheet  included $86 million of
reserves  established in connection  with prior year  restructuring  initiatives
compared to $122  million at October  26,  2002 and $113  million at January 25,
2003. The reserves are related to future lease  obligations  for both department
stores and drugstores that have closed. Costs are charged against the reserve as
incurred.  Reserves  are  periodically  reviewed  for  adequacy  and adjusted as
appropriate,  with adjustments  recorded in other unallocated.  During the first
nine months of 2003, cash payments related to the reserves were $30 million. The
reserves were increased by approximately  $3 million for adjustments,  including
imputed  interest,  during the first nine months of 2003.  Cash payments for the
fourth  quarter of 2003 are expected to  approximate  $10  million.  Most of the
remaining obligations should be paid by the end of 2005 when the majority of the
leases will have terminated.


10) Financing Transactions
    -----------------------

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.

Payments Related to Put Bonds and Sinking Fund Debt

On August 15, 2003,  bondholders  exercised their option to redeem approximately
$117 million of the $119 million 6.9% Debentures Due 2026. On the same date, JCP
retired  $37.5  million of its 8.25%  Debentures  Due 2022 at par,  through  the
mandatory  sinking fund payment of $12.5 million and available  optional sinking
fund  payments  totaling  $25  million.  Also  in  August  2003,  JCP  purchased
approximately  $12.8  million of the 8.25%  Sinking  Fund  Debentures  Due 2022.
Year-to-date,   approximately  $16.9  million  of  these  Debentures  have  been
purchased  and will be applied to  unspecified  future  mandatory  sinking  fund
payments.

On June 16, 2003,  JCP retired $25 million of its 9.75%  Debentures  Due 2021 at
par through a mandatory  sinking fund  payment of $12.5  million and an optional
sinking fund payment of $12.5 million.

                                -11-                  J. C. Penney Company, Inc.


11)  Comprehensive    Income/(Loss)   and   Accumulated   Other    Comprehensive
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (Loss)/Income
     -------------


Comprehensive Income /(Loss)

                                                                                                            

($ in millions)                                                                13 weeks ended              39 weeks ended
                                                                          --------------------------   -----------------------
                                                                           Oct. 25,       Oct. 26,     Oct. 25,     Oct. 26,
                                                                             2003           2002         2003         2002
                                                                          ------------   -----------   ----------  -----------
Net income                                                                   $  80          $ 123        $141         $ 203
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
    Foreign currency translation adjustments                                    (4)           (36)         22           (67)
    Net unrealized gains in real estate investment trusts                       7                          25             7
                                                                                         3
                                                                          ------------   -----------   ----------  -----------
                                                                                3             (33)          47          (60)
                                                                          ------------   -----------   ----------  -----------

Total comprehensive income                                                   $ 83           $  90        $188         $ 143

                                                                         ============   ===========   ==========  ===========



Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)/Income

                                                                                                       
($ in millions)                                                     Oct. 25,            Oct. 26,              Jan. 25,
                                                                      2003                2002                  2003
                                                                  -------------       --------------        -------------
Foreign currency translation adjustments                             $(142)              $ (167)              $ (164)
Non-qualified plan minimum liability adjustment                        (58)                 (51)                 (58)
Net unrealized gains in real estate investment trusts                   44                   21                   19
                                                                  -------------       --------------        -------------

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)                              $ (156)              $ (197)              $ (203)
                                                                  =============       ==============        =============



Net unrealized gains in real estate  investment trusts are shown net of deferred
taxes of $24  million,  $11  million  and $10  million as of October  25,  2003,
October 26, 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 October 25,  2003,  October 26, 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.


12) Guarantees
    -----------

JCP had  guarantees,  which are  described in detail in the 2002 10-K,  totaling
$257  million at October  25,  2003.  These  guarantees  include:  $165  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 loans
associated  with an investment in a 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.


                                -12-                  J. C. Penney Company, Inc.


13)  Other Unallocated
     ------------------

Other unallocated  consists of real estate activities,  investment  transactions
and other items related to corporate  initiatives or  activities,  which are not
allocated to an operating  segment but are included in total  Company  operating
results.

                                                                                                        

($ in millions)                                                       13 weeks ended                  39 weeks ended
                                                               -----------------------------   ------------------------------

                                                               Oct. 25,          Oct. 26,        Oct. 25,      Oct. 26,
                                                                  2003              2002            2003          2002
                                                               --------------  -------------   ------------- ----------------
Asset impairments, PVOL and other unit closing costs             $  12             $   8           $  51        $   38

Gains on sale of real estate                                         -                (2)            (51)          (15)

Real estate operations                                              (8)               (5)            (18)          (17)

Other                                                                2                 3               6            13
                                                               --------------  -------------   ------------- ----------------
     Total                                                       $   6             $   4          $  (12)      $    19
                                                               ==============  =============   ============= ================



The Company  recorded  charges of $12 million for the third  quarter of 2003 for
asset impairments,  the present value of lease obligations (PVOL) and other unit
closing costs.  These charges were comprised of $8 million of asset impairments,
$3 million related primarily to remaining lease obligations for closed units and
$1 million  of other unit  closing  costs.  For the third  quarter of 2002 these
costs  included $8 million of asset  impairments.  Asset  impairments,  PVOL and
other unit closing  costs for the first nine months of 2003 included $22 million
of accelerated  depreciation for catalog facilities closed in the second quarter
of 2003, $17 million of asset  impairments  and $11 million of expenses  related
primarily  to  remaining  lease  obligations  for closed units and $1 million of
other unit closing costs. Charges for the first nine months of 2002 consisted of
$25 million of asset  impairments  and $13 million  related to  remaining  lease
obligations and other costs for closed units.

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

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

Other consists of losses and expenses related to receivables sold as part of the
Eckerd managed care  receivables  securitization  (see Note 6), other  corporate
costs,  and in  2002,  operating  losses  related  to  third  party  fulfillment
operations that were discontinued in 2002.

                                -13-                  J. C. Penney Company, Inc.







14) Segment Reporting
    -----------------

The Company  operates in two business  segments:  Department  Stores and Catalog
(including internet), and Eckerd Drugstores.  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 intangible assets;  however,
segment  operating profit does not include the amortization of intangible assets
related to major  business  acquisitions.  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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3rd Quarter - 2003
Retail sales, net                                               $  4,343         $ 3,642            $  -       $ 7,985
Segment operating profit                                             207              34                           241
Net interest expense                                                                                (107)         (107)
Other unallocated                                                                                     (6)           (6)
Acquisition amortization                                                                              (7)           (7)
                                                                                                                 --------
Income from continuing operations before income taxes                                                              121
                                                                                                                 --------
Depreciation and amortization expense                                  92             77               7           176


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October YTD - 2003
Retail sales, net                                              $  11,724        $ 11,067            $  -     $  22,791
Segment operating profit                                             341             206                           547
Net interest expense                                                                                (319)         (319)
Other unallocated                                                                                     12            12
Acquisition amortization                                                                             (25)          (25)
                                                                                                                 --------
Income from continuing operations before income taxes                                                              215
                                                                                                                 --------
Depreciation and amortization expense                                269             215              47           531

Total assets                                                      11,480           6,947             177        18,604

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Quarter - 2002
Retail sales, net                                               $  4,310        $  3,562            $  -       $ 7,872
Segment operating profit                                             170              79               -           249
Net interest expense                                                                                 (97)          (97)
Other unallocated                                                                                     (4)           (4)
Acquisition amortization                                                                              (8)           (8)
                                                                                                                 --------
Income from continuing operations before income taxes                                                              140
                                                                                                                 --------

Depreciation and amortization expense                                 90              64               8           162

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October YTD - 2002
Retail sales, net                                               $ 11,939        $ 10,859            $  -     $  22,798
Segment operating profit                                             349             252               -           601
Net interest expense                                                                                (291)         (291)
Other unallocated                                                                                    (19)          (19)
Acquisition amortization                                                                             (25)          (25)
                                                                                                                 --------
Income from continuing operations before income taxes                                                              266
                                                                                                                 --------
Depreciation and amortization expense                                276             185              25           486
Total assets                                                    $ 10,788         $ 6,846           $ 148      $ 17,782



                                -14-                  J. C. Penney Company, Inc.





15)  Subsequent Events
     -----------------

Sale of Mexico Department Store Operations

On  December  1,  2003,  JCP  closed on the sale of its  holding  and  operating
companies   comprising   JCPenney's   Mexico  department  store  operation  (six
department  stores).  This transaction was effective  November 30, 2003, and was
previously  announced on October 29, 2003,  when an agreement was signed by JCP,
J. C. Penney  Mexico,  Inc. and Grupo  Sanborns S.A. de C.V. of Mexico City. The
Company's book loss was  approximately  $40 million,  $13 million net of tax, or
$0.05 per share.  The majority of the $40 million loss on the sale is related to
previously  unrealized currency  translation losses accumulated since operations
began  in 1995  that  have  previously  been  reflected  through  reductions  to
stockholders'  equity.  In  accordance  with  SFAS  No.  52,  "Foreign  Currency
Translation,"   upon  completion  of  the  sale,  the  accumulated   translation
adjustment will be removed from the separate component of equity and reported as
part of the loss on the sale.

As of October 25, 2003, the end of the third quarter of 2003, due to significant
uncertainties   surrounding  the  resolution  of  closing  conditions  including
regulatory approvals from the Mexican government, the above sale transaction did
not meet the  criteria  in SFAS  No.  144,  "Accounting  for the  Impairment  or
Disposal of  Long-Lived  Assets," to be reflected as a  discontinued  operation.
Subsequent to the end of the third quarter of 2003, with the resolution of these
uncertainties  and the  closing of the sale in the fourth  quarter of 2003,  the
Mexico JCPenney  department store operation will be classified as a discontinued
operation in the fourth  quarter of 2003,  as well as any prior periods that may
be presented.

Payment of Notes Due

On November 17, 2003, the remaining outstanding amount of JCP's 6.125% Notes Due
2003, totaling $246 million, matured and was paid in full.

                                -15-                  J. C. Penney Company, Inc.




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.

Discontinued Operations
------------------------

The $34 million gain on sale of discontinued  operations in the third quarter of
2002  related to  additional  capital  loss  deductions  on the 2001 sale of the
assets of J. C. Penney Direct  Marketing  Services,  Inc., as a result of a 2002
tax regulation  change.  The final federal tax liability on the  transaction was
determined in an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service.


                                -16-                  J. C. Penney Company, Inc.




                                                                                                         
Consolidated Results of Operations
($ in millions)                                        13 weeks ended                              39 weeks ended
                                               --------------------------------           ----------------------------------
                                                Oct. 25,            Oct. 26,                Oct. 25,            Oct. 26,
                                                  2003                2002                    2003                2002
                                               ------------       -------------           -------------      ---------------

Segment operating profit
    Department Stores and Catalog                    207                 170              $      341              $  349
    Eckerd Drugstores                                 34                  79                     206                 252
                                               ------------       -------------           -------------      ---------------
Total segments                                       241                 249                     547                 601
Other unallocated                                     (6)                (4)                                         (19)
                                                                                            12
Net interest expense                                (107)                (97)                   (319)
                                                                                                                    (291)
Acquisition amortization                              (7)                 (8)                    (25)                (25)
                                               ------------       -------------           -------------      ---------------
Income from continuing operations
    before income taxes                              121                 140                     215                 266
Income taxes                                         (41)                (51)                    (74)                (97)
                                               ------------       -------------           -------------      ---------------
Income from continuing operations                   $  80              $  89                 $   141              $  169
                                               ============       =============           =============      ===============

EPS (continuing operations), diluted           $    0.27          $     0.30              $     0.45         $       0.55




For the  third  quarter  of 2003,  income  from  continuing  operations  was $80
million,  or $0.27 per share compared to $89 million, or $0.30 per share for the
comparable 2002 period.  Sales growth and improved margins in Department  Stores
and Catalog, including internet, were offset by weak sales and lower profits for
Eckerd.  This year's third quarter was negatively impacted by higher incremental
non-cash pension expense.

For the first nine months of 2003,  income from  continuing  operations was $141
million,  or $0.45 per share,  compared to $169 million,  or $0.55 per share for
the comparable 2002 period.  The decline in year-to-date  earnings was primarily
the result of weak sales trends at Eckerd,  soft sales in the first  quarter for
Department  Stores and Catalog,  and as expected,  higher  selling,  general and
administrative  (SG&A)  expenses in both  segments.  SG&A expense for Department
Stores and Catalog  included higher  incremental  non-cash  pension expense this
year.  In  addition,  other  unallocated,  which is a  component  of income from
continuing operations,  was $31 million better than last year. Other unallocated
includes  gains on the sale of  assets,  as well as asset  impairments  and unit
closing costs, and is discussed in detail on pages 21-22 and in Note 13.


                                -17-                  J. C. Penney Company, Inc.




                                                                                                        
Segment Operating Results

Department Stores and Catalog
-----------------------------
($ in millions)                                       13 weeks ended                               39 weeks ended
                                             ----------------------------------
                                               Oct. 25,            Oct. 26,                 Oct. 25,             Oct. 26,
                                                 2003                2002                     2003                 2002
                                             --------------     ---------------           --------------       -------------
Retail sales, net                                  4,343        $      4,310              $    11,724          $   11,939
                                             --------------     ---------------           --------------       -------------
FIFO/LIFO gross margin                             1,670               1,579                    4,444               4,400
SG&A expenses                                     (1,463)             (1,409)                  (4,103)             (4,051)
                                             --------------     ---------------           --------------       -------------
Segment operating profit                             207        $        170              $       341          $      349
                                             ==============     ===============           ==============       =============

Sales percent increase/(decrease):
    Comparable stores(1)                            1.7%                3.9%                   (0.4)%               3.0%
    Total department stores                         0.2%                3.4%                   (1.9)%               2.0%
    Catalog                                         4.1%              (21.2)%                  (1.4)%             (22.6)%

Ratios as a percent of sales:
    FIFO/LIFO gross margin                         38.5%               36.6%                    37.9%              36.8%
    SG&A expenses                                  33.7%               32.7%                    35.0%              33.9%
    Segment operating profit                        4.8%                3.9%                     2.9%               2.9%



(1)  Comparable store sales include sales from stores that 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 for Department Stores and Catalog in this year's third
quarter  improved 22%, or 90 basis points as a percent of sales, to $207 million
compared to $170 million last year.  Comparable department store sales gains and
continued  strengthening  in  catalog/internet  sales,  as well as gross  margin
improvements led to the increase.

Comparable department store sales increased 1.7% in the third quarter, on top of
a 3.9%  gain last  year.  Total  department  store  sales  increased  0.2%.  All
merchandise categories,  except Women's apparel,  generated positive sales gains
for the  quarter.  Sales were  driven by strong  trends in Home,  Back-to-School
apparel, Family Shoes and Fine Jewelry. Sales in both Men's and Women's seasonal
apparel categories,  including outerwear and sweaters,  were soft.  Unseasonably
warm weather across much of the country was a primary factor for the slowdown in
seasonal categories.

Catalog/internet  sales  increased 4.1% for the quarter  compared to last year's
third quarter, and represented the second consecutive  quarterly sales increase.
Customers responded favorably to better merchandise  assortments,  value pricing
and certain marketing events,  including free shipping. Sales reflected a better
print  business  and an  increase in internet  sales.  Customer  response to the
Fall/Winter Big Book,  certain specialty  catalogs and the Christmas catalog has
been positive. Total internet sales, which are an integral part of the Company's
three-channel retailing strategy, increased more than 45% to $153 million.

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.  This adoption  resulted in a decrease in
segment operating profit of approximately $2 million in the third quarter and $8
million in the first nine months of 2003.

Gross  margin  improved  190 basis  points as a percent of sales in this  year's
third quarter,  reflecting  better  execution and  continuing  benefits from the
centralized  merchandising  model.  Benefits of a centralized  model resulted in
better merchandise offerings, a more integrated marketing plan, more leverage in
the buying process and more efficient selection and allocation of merchandise to
individual department stores.

                                -18-                  J. C. Penney Company, Inc.



As  anticipated,  SG&A expenses for the quarter were higher than last year,  and
were not leveraged as a percent of sales.  The increase was from higher non-cash
pension  expense and reflects the  completion of the store  distribution  center
network,  or Store Support  Centers  (SSC's),  an integral part of the Company's
centralization efforts. All 13 SSC's are currently operational, compared to last
year's third quarter when only seven SSC's were open.  In addition,  investments
continue to be made in advertising. Partially offsetting these expense increases
were labor savings from programs including  centralized checkouts (also referred
to as customer service centers) and the elimination of in-store receiving.  SG&A
expenses  were also  favorably  impacted  by the  previously  announced  catalog
restructuring initiatives. As part of the turnaround strategy for catalog, since
January  2000,  the  Company  has  eliminated  approximately  40%  of  catalog's
infrastructure,  including fulfillment centers, telemarketing centers and outlet
stores.

Segment  operating profit for the first nine months of 2003 was $8 million lower
than last  year,  principally  as a result of weak  sales in the first  quarter.
Comparable  store sales  declined 0.4% and catalog sales  declined  1.4%.  Gross
margin  improved 110 basis points as a percent of sales.  The gross margin ratio
improved  as a result of better  merchandise  offerings  and  benefits  from the
centralized  merchandising  model,  offset to a large  extent  by the  clearance
strategies in the second  quarter.  As  anticipated,  SG&A dollars for the first
nine months of 2003 increased $52 million, and as a percent of sales were higher
than  last  year by 110 basis  points.  SG&A  expenses  levels  reflect  planned
increases in advertising,  transition costs for the SSC distribution network and
higher  non-cash  pension  expense.  Offsetting  these increases were savings in
store labor costs as a result of the  transition  to  centralized  checkouts  in
department  stores,  catalog  expense  management and benefits from  centralized
management of store expenses.

The Company  continues to evaluate the  productivity  of its store base, and for
the full year of 2003 management  expects to close about 25 domestic  department
stores (13 closed through the third quarter) and open six stores, including four
relocations.  In  addition,  on December  1, 2003,  JCP closed on the sale of it
Mexico department store operation, which consisted of six department stores.On a
combined basis,  including the 25 domestic stores and the six Mexico  department
stores  ,square  footage wwill be reduced by about 1.8 million gross square feet
in 2003.  Since the beginning of its turnaround in 2000 through the end of 2003,
the Company  will have closed  approximately  10% of its  department  stores and
reduced square footage by about 10 million square feet.

Looking ahead to the upcoming holiday season,  management  anticipates favorable
trends in the  consumer  environment.  Customers  are  impacted  by, among other
things, job growth, low interest rates and energy prices.  Overall these factors
are  currently  improving,  and for the fourth  quarter,  Department  Stores and
Catalog is  expected to generate  improvements  in sales and profit.  Comparable
department  store sales and  catalog  sales on a 13-week  basis are  expected to
increase low single digits.  This fiscal year includes a fifty-third week, which
should add sales of about $150 million in  department  stores and $35 million in
catalog, and should add approximately $65 million in additional SG&A expenses.

As the Company continues executing its turnaround strategy for Department Stores
and  Catalog,  steps have been taken to  continue  to  improve  the  merchandise
offerings,  present a more integrated and powerful  marketing  message and lower
expenses.  The Company's  financial goal is to generate segment operating profit
of 6-8% of  sales  by 2005.  The  successful  execution  of the  turnaround  and
progress toward improving the  profitability of Department Stores and Catalog is
impacted  by  customers'  response  to  the  Company's  merchandise   offerings,
competitive  conditions,   the  effects  of  the  current  economic  conditions,
continued  improvement  of  gross  margin  and  the  reduction  of  the  expense
structure.



                                     -19-             J. C. Penney Company, Inc.


                                                                                                      

Eckerd Drugstores
($ in millions)                                      13 weeks ended                                39 weeks ended
                                          -------------------------------------           ----------------------------------
                                             Oct. 25,             Oct. 26,                  Oct. 25,            Oct. 26,
                                               2003                 2002                      2003                2002
                                          ---------------      ----------------           -------------      ---------------
 Retail sales, net                               3,642                 3,562              $   11,067         $    10,859
                                          ---------------      ----------------           -------------      ---------------
FIFO gross margin                                  839                   832                   2,556               2,523
LIFO charge                                         (7)                  (9)                     (25)                (33)
                                          ---------------      ----------------           -------------      ---------------
LIFO gross margin                                  832                   823                   2,531               2,490
SG&A expenses                                     (798)                 (744)                 (2,325)             (2,238)
                                          ---------------      ----------------           -------------      ---------------
Segment operating profit                            34                    79              $      206         $       252
                                          ===============      ================           =============      ===============
 Sales percent (decrease)/increase:
    Comparable stores(1)                        (1.0)%                  4.9%                  (0.9)%                 6.2%
    Total sales                                   2.2%                  5.7%                    1.9%                 6.6%

Ratios as a percent of sales:
    FIFO gross margin                            23.0%                 23.3%                   23.1%                23.2%
    LIFO gross margin                            22.8%                 23.1%                   22.9%                22.9%
    SG&A expenses                                21.9%                 20.9%                   21.0%                20.6%
    Segment operating profit                      0.9%                  2.2%                    1.9%                 2.3%



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

Eckerd's  segment  operating profit was $34 million in this year's third quarter
compared  to  $79  million  last  year.  Sales  in  both  pharmacy  and  general
(front-end)  merchandise  were  softer  than  planned.  As a  percent  of sales,
operating profit declined 130 basis points principally as a result of weak sales
trends.

For the quarter,  total sales increased 2.2%, while on a comparable basis, store
sales  decreased  1.0%,  pharmacy  sales  increased  1.4%  and  front-end  sales
decreased 6.5% from last year. As a percent of total drugstore  sales,  pharmacy
sales were 71.2% for the  quarter,  an  increase of 140 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 third
quarter of 2003  increased  60 basis  points to 93.4% of total  pharmacy  sales.
Total pharmacy sales were negatively  impacted by approximately 370 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.

LIFO gross  margin for the  quarter  decreased  30 basis  points as a percent of
sales  compared to last year.  The decline was caused  principally  by front-end
margin investments to drive sales, which did not produce results as planned.

SG&A  expenses for the quarter  increased  7.3% and were 100 basis points higher
than last year as a percent of sales.  The increase was related  principally  to
higher  rent  and  depreciation  expense  associated  with  new,  relocated  and
remodeled  stores.  The  Company  remodeled  266 stores  and added or  relocated
another 103 stores through the end of the third quarter, with another 111 new or
relocated  stores planned for the fourth quarter of 2003.  Further,  the company
opened about 30 stores in late January 2003.  Other factors  contributing to the
increase in SG&A expense were  advertising  and higher  payroll costs  resulting
from expanded service hours.

Segment  operating  profit  dollars for the first nine months of 2003 were 18.3%
below last year, and declined 40 basis points as a percent of sales.  Comparable
store sales were down 0.9%,  while total sales were up 1.9%.  LIFO gross  margin
dollars were up 1.6% compared to last year,  and as a percent to sales were flat
with last year. SG&A

                                -20-                  J. C. Penney Company, Inc.




expenses were up 3.9%,  principally as a result of higher rent and  depreciation
expenses  from the new,  relocated  and  remodeled  stores  and  investments  in
advertising.  As a percent of sales,  SG&A  expenses were 40 basis points higher
than last year.

Looking ahead,  the fourth quarter will continue to be  challenging.  Comparable
store sales on a 13-week basis are expected to be down slightly. The fifty-third
week  should  add about  $280  million  to sales and about $55  million  to SG&A
expenses.  FIFO operating  profit for the fourth quarter is expected to be about
25% to 30% below last year.

Eckerd is in the third year of its turnaround  initiative.  Operating results in
the third quarter, as well as the first nine months of 2003, were below original
expectations,  and these trends are expected to continue in the fourth  quarter.
Changes  continue  to be  made to the  Eckerd  business  model  to  improve  the
fundamentals of the business and long-term competitive position in the industry.
To  regain  sales  and  profit  momentum,  Eckerd  is  focusing  on  six  areas:
competitive pricing, competitive marketing,  in-stock levels, store environment,
customer service and the new and relocated store program.  The new and relocated
store program is more  competitive  with other drugstore chains and should serve
to increase market share. The technology and operation  initiatives underway are
expected to benefit the long-term  position in the industry.  These  initiatives
include the supply  chain  initiative  (Quantum  Leap) and the  Pharmacy  Vision
technology initiative.  Quantum Leap is expected to deliver benefits in terms of
improving  in-stock  levels,   inventory  turns,   direct-store  deliveries  and
shrinkage reduction.  Quantum Leap will be in about 600 stores by year-end,  and
will be rolled out in its entirety in 2004. Pharmacy Vision is a program that is
intended to drive workflow improvements for pharmacists through features such as
centralized  pharmacy files and reducing calls to doctors.  Management  believes
that this  initiative  should  ultimately  result in lower SG&A costs.  Pharmacy
Vision will be tested in a group of stores in 2004, and management plans for the
technology  to be rolled out to all the  stores in the next two to three  years.
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 attract  and retain  qualified  pharmacists,  and to  maintain
favorable reimbursement rates from managed care organizations,  governmental and
other third-party payors.

As previously  announced,  the Company is currently in the process of evaluating
strategic alternatives for Eckerd and expects to make an announcement by the end
of the year.  Among the options under  consideration  for Eckerd are  retention,
merger, spin-off or sale.

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  results.  Other  unallocated  for the third quarter of 2003 was a net
charge of $6 million,  which  consisted of $8 million of asset  impairments,  $3
million of expense related  primarily to remaining lease  obligations for closed
units,  $1 million of other unit closing costs,  $8 million of operating  income
from real  estate  activities  and $2 million of other  corporate  costs.  Other
unallocated for the third quarter of 2002 was a net charge of $4 million,  which
included $8 million of asset impairments on certain  underperforming  department
stores,  remaining lease obligations for units scheduled to close and other unit
closing activities,  $2 million of gains on the sale of closed units, $5 million
of operating income from real estate activities and a $3 million loss from third
party fulfillment and other corporate activities.

For the first nine  months of 2003,  other  unallocated  was a net credit of $12
million,  which  included $51 million of net gains on the sale of closed  units,
$22  million of  accelerated  depreciation  primarily  related to the closing of
certain catalog  facilities,  $17 million of asset  impairments,  $11 million of
expenses related  primarily to remaining lease  obligations for closed units, $1
million of other unit closing costs,  $18 million of operating  income from real
estate activities and $6 million of other corporate expenses.  Other unallocated
for the first nine months of 2002 was a net expense of $19 million and  included
$38 million of asset impairments on certain  underperforming  department stores,
remaining lease  obligations for units scheduled to close and other unit closing
activities, $15

                                -21-                  J. C. Penney Company, Inc.


million of net gains on the sale of closed  units,  $17  million of income  from
real estate  operations and a $13 million loss from third party  fulfillment and
other corporate activities.


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

                                                                                                        

($ in millions)                                      13 weeks ended                                39 weeks ended
                                          -------------------------------------           ----------------------------------
                                             Oct. 25,             Oct. 26,                  Oct. 25,            Oct. 26,
                                               2003                 2002                      2003                2002
                                          ---------------      ----------------           -------------      ---------------
Interest expense                                   113                   106              $      342                 325
Short-term interest income                          (6)                   (9)                    (23)                (34)
                                          ---------------      ----------------           -------------      ---------------
  Net interest expense                             107                    97              $      319         $       291
                                          ===============      ================           =============      ===============



Net  interest  expense for the  quarter,  as well as the first nine  months,  is
higher  than  last  year  primarily  because  the  Company's  average  long-term
borrowing  levels are higher,  reflecting  the  issuance of the $600  million 8%
Notes Due 2010 issued in February 2003. Additionally,  the average interest rate
on the long-term debt was slightly higher and returns on cash  investments  were
lower for both the quarter and year-to-date.


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

Amortization of intangible assets related to major business  acquisitions was $7
million  and $8  million  for  third  quarter  of 2003 and  2002,  respectively.
Acquisition  amortization  was $25 million for the first nine months of 2003 and
2002.  The Company  expects to record  approximately  $40 million of acquisition
amortization for the full year of 2003.


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

The  Company's  effective  income tax rate was 33.7% for the third  quarter  and
34.5% for the first nine  months of 2003  compared  with 36.3% and 36.4% for the
same  periods  last  year.  The  improved  rate is  primarily  due to  increased
utilization  of state  tax  benefits.  The  effective  tax rate is less than the
statutory  rate due  primarily to the  deductibility  of  dividends  paid to the
employee  stock  ownership  plan.  The state  effective tax rate (net of federal
benefit) for the first nine months of 2003 is 2.75%.


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

On October 25,  2003,  consolidated  merchandise  inventories  on the  first-in,
first-out (FIFO) basis were $6,488 million compared to $6,353 million at October
26, 2002 and $5,348 million at January 25, 2003.  The 2.1% increase  compared to
last year's third quarter  reflects higher  inventories  primarily in Department
Stores and Catalog.

Inventories  on a FIFO  basis for the  Department  Stores  and  Catalog  segment
totaled  $3,993  million and $3,887  million at October 25, 2003 and October 26,
2002, respectively. Inventory levels entering the fourth quarter are up about 2%
in  comparable  stores,  and are balanced  and in line with sales  expectations.
Inventories are well positioned in basic merchandise and fresh, new assortments,
as well as key categories and gift items for the holiday selling season.

Eckerd  Drugstore  inventories on a FIFO basis totaled $2,495 million at the end
of the  quarter  compared  to $2,466  million  at the end of last  year's  third
quarter,  and increased about 1.9% on a comparable store basis. This increase is
due  primarily to additional  inventory  for relocated  stores as well as higher
levels of store inventory to help Eckerd's in-stock position.


                                -22-                  J. C. Penney Company, Inc.



The current  cost of  consolidated  inventories  exceeded  the LIFO basis amount
carried on the balance sheet by approximately  $428 million at October 25, 2003,
$410  million at October 26,  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 pharmacy inventories.


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

The Company's  financial  condition  remains  strong,  with  approximately  $1.9
billion in cash and short-term  investments as of October 25, 2003.  Cash levels
are lower than  earlier in the year due to seasonal  inventory  build-up and the
$300  million  pension  contribution  made  in  October  2003.  Long-term  debt,
including  current  maturities,  at the end of the  quarter  was  $5.6  billion.
Long-term debt net of cash and short-term investments was $3.7 billion. Included
in the total cash and short-term  investment balances were restricted short-term
investment  balances of $87 million,  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 nine months of 2003 was $362 million  compared to cash flow generated from
operating  activities  of $367  million in the  comparable  period of 2002.  The
decrease was primarily due to the third  quarter 2003 cash  contribution  to the
Company's qualified pension plan and a more normalized level of accounts payable
relative to merchandise inventories in 2003.

On  December  1,  2003,  JCP  closed on the sale of its  holding  and  operating
companies   comprising   JCPenney's   Mexico  department  store  operation  (six
department  stores).  This transaction was effective  November 30, 2003, and was
previously  announced on October 29, 2003,  when an agreement was signed by JCP,
J. C. Penney  Mexico,  Inc. and Grupo  Sanborns S.A. de C.V. of Mexico City. The
Company's book loss was  approximately  $40 million,  $13 million net of tax, or
$0.05 per share. This transaction is expected to result in positive cash flow of
approximately  $25 million,  including  future  anticipated  tax  benefits.  The
majority of the $40 million loss on the sale is related to previously unrealized
currency translation losses accumulated since operations began in 1995 that have
previously  been  reflected  through  reductions  to  stockholders'  equity.  In
accordance with SFAS No. 52, "Foreign Currency  Translation," upon completion of
the sale,  the  accumulated  translation  adjustment  will be  removed  from the
separate component of equity and reported as part of the loss on the sale.

As of October 25, 2003, the end of the third quarter of 2003, due to significant
uncertainties   surrounding  the  resolution  of  closing  conditions  including
regulatory approvals from the Mexican government, the above sale transaction did
not meet the  criteria  in SFAS  No.  144,  "Accounting  for the  Impairment  or
Disposal of  Long-Lived  Assets," to be reflected as a  discontinued  operation.
Subsequent to the end of the third quarter of 2003, with the resolution of these
uncertainties  and the  closing of the sale in the fourth  quarter of 2003,  the
Mexico JCPenney  department store operation will be classified as a discontinued
operation in the fourth  quarter of 2003,  as well as any prior periods that may
be presented.

On November 17, 2003, the remaining  outstanding 6.125% Notes due 2003, totaling
$246 million, matured and were paid in full.

On August 15, 2003,  bondholders  exercised their option to redeem approximately
$117 million of the $119 million 6.9% Debentures Due 2026. On the same date, JCP
retired  $37.5  million of its 8.25%  Debentures  Due 2022 at par,  through  the
mandatory  sinking fund payment of $12.5 million and available  optional sinking
fund  payments  totaling  $25  million.  Also  in  August  2003,  JCP  purchased
approximately  $12.8  million of the 8.25%  Sinking  Fund  Debentures  Due 2022.
Year-to-date,   approximately  $16.9  million  of  these  Debentures  have  been
purchased  and will be applied to  unspecified  future  mandatory  sinking  fund
payments.

During  the  second  quarter  of 2003,  JCP  retired  $25  million  of its 9.75%
Debentures  Due 2021 at par through the  mandatory  sinking  fund payment and an
optional sinking fund payment.


                                -23-                  J. C. Penney Company, Inc.



During  the  first  quarter,   the  Company   completed  two  transactions  that
strengthened  its overall  liquidity  position.  First, on February 3, 2003, the
Company  raised  approximately  $50 million by  securitizing  additional  Eckerd
managed care receivables (See Note 6). 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 J.C. Penney Company,  Inc. as co-obligor (See Note
9).  Additional  liquidity  strengths  include the available $1.5 billion credit
facility  discussed in the 2002 10-K and  significant  unencumbered  assets 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
$219  million as of the end of the third  quarter of 2003,  have been made under
this credit facility. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants
of the credit facility at October 25, 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. Management
does not  currently  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 brought the S&P rating more in line with the Moody's
and Fitch  ratings.  This change has not  impacted  the  Company's  liquidity or
financial position as the lower credit rating had already been incorporated into
the  long-term  financing  strategy.  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.  Based  on  the  nature  of  the  Company's  businesses,  management
considers the above factors to be normal business risks.

Capital  expenditures  were $544  million  through the first nine months of 2003
compared  with  $451  million  for  the  comparable  2002  period.  This  year's
investments were primarily to support the implementation of the SSC distribution
network for department stores,  department store modernizations and renewals and
technology improvements,  as well as for new and relocated Eckerd drugstores and
the continued  remodeling of existing Eckerd  drugstores.  Management  currently
expects capital  expenditures  for the full year will be somewhat less than $900
million, 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  November  1, 2003 to  stockholders  of record on October  10,
2003.



                                   -24-               J. C. Penney Company, Inc.



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  recognition  of expense 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 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.  The pro
forma  impact on the third  quarters  and first nine  months of 2003 and 2002 of
expensing unvested stock options is disclosed in Note 1 to the unaudited Interim
Consolidated Financial Statements.


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 and 39 weeks ended October 25,
2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year.

                                -25-                  J. C. Penney Company, Inc.



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  October  25,  2003 are  similar to those
disclosed in the  Company's  2002 10-K.  For the 39 weeks ended October 25, 2003
the other comprehensive  income on foreign currency translation was $22 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 the end of the period  covered by this  Quarterly  Report on Form
10-Q, the Company's  principal executive officer and principal financial officer
have  concluded  that the  design  and  operation  of 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  have not been any  changes  in the  Company's
internal  control over financial  reporting  that occurred  during the Company's
last fiscal quarter that have materially  affected,  or are reasonably likely to
materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.


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.


                                -26-                  J. C. Penney Company, Inc.


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

          Exhibit No.        Description
          -----------       ------------

               31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section
                    302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

               31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section
                    302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

               32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section
                    906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

               32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section
                    906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(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 8-K dated August 12, 2003 (Item  12--Results of
               Operations and Financial Condition)



                                -27-                  J. C. Penney Company, Inc.



                                   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: December 8, 2003







                                -28-                  J. C. Penney Company, Inc.


                                                                    Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

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 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
     report;

3.   Based on my  knowledge,  the  financial  statements,  and  other  financial
     information  included  in  this  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 report;

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

     (a)  Designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  or caused such
          disclosure   controls  and   procedures  to  be  designed   under  our
          supervision,  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 report is being prepared;

     (b)  [Intentionally omitted]

     (c)  Evaluated the  effectiveness of the registrant's  disclosure  controls
          and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions  about the
          effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end
          of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

     (d)  Disclosed  in this  report  any  change in the  registrant's  internal
          control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's
          most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's  fourth fiscal quarter in
          the case of an annual  report)  that has  materially  affected,  or is
          reasonably  likely to materially  affect,  the  registrant's  internal
          control over financial reporting; and

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

     (a)  All significant  deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
          operation  of internal  control  over  financial  reporting  which are
          reasonably  likely to  adversely  affect the  registrant's  ability to
          record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

     (b)  Any fraud, whether or not material,  that involves management or other
          employees who have a  significant  role in the  registrant's  internal
          control over financial reporting.


Date:  December 8, 2003.

                                       /s/ Allen Questrom
                                       ___________________________
                                       Allen Questrom
                                       Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
                                       J. C. Penney Company, Inc.

                                                                    Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

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 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
     report;

3.   Based on my  knowledge,  the  financial  statements,  and  other  financial
     information  included  in  this  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 report;

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

     (a)  Designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  or caused such
          disclosure   controls  and   procedures  to  be  designed   under  our
          supervision,  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 report is being prepared;

     (b)  [intentionally omitted]

     (c)  Evaluated the  effectiveness of the registrant's  disclosure  controls
          and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions  about the
          effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end
          of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

     (d)  Disclosed  in this  report  any  change in the  registrant's  internal
          control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's
          most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's  fourth fiscal quarter in
          the case of an annual  report)  that has  materially  affected,  or is
          reasonably  likely to materially  affect,  the  registrant's  internal
          control over financial reporting; and

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

     (a)  All significant  deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
          operation  of internal  control  over  financial  reporting  which are
          reasonably  likely to  adversely  affect the  registrant's  ability to
          record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

     (b)  Any fraud, whether or not material,  that involves management or other
          employees who have a  significant  role in the  registrant's  internal
          control over financial reporting.

Date:  December 8, 2003.

                                                   /s/ Robert B. Cavanaugh
                                                   ___________________________
                                                   Robert B. Cavanaugh
                                                   Executive Vice President and
                                                   Chief Financial Officer
                                                   J. C. Penney Company, Inc.




                                                                    Exhibit 32.1


                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In  connection  with the  Quarterly  Report of J. C. Penney  Company,  Inc. (the
"Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending  October 25, 2003 (the  "Report"),
I, Allen Questrom, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify,
pursuant to 18 U.S.C.  Section 1350,  as adopted  pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

     (1)  the Report fully  complies with the  requirements  of section 13(a) or
          15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     (2)  the  information  contained  in the  Report  fairly  presents,  in all
          material respects,  the financial  condition and results of operations
          of the Company.

DATED this 8th day of December 2003.

                                           /s/ Allen Questrom
                                           ____________________________
                                           Allen Questrom
                                           Chairman and Chief Executive Officer



                                                                    Exhibit 32.2

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In  connection  with the  Quarterly  Report of J. C. Penney  Company,  Inc. (the
"Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending  October 25, 2003 (the  "Report"),
I, Robert B. Cavanaugh,  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

     (1)  the Report fully  complies with the  requirements  of section 13(a) or
          15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     (2)  the  information  contained  in the  Report  fairly  presents,  in all
          material respects,  the financial  condition and results of operations
          of the Company.

DATED this 8th day of December 2003.

                                                 /s/ Robert B. Cavanaugh
                                                 _____________________________
                                                 Robert B. Cavanaugh
                                                 Executive Vice President and
                                                 Chief Financial Officer