JCPenney, Macy's report Sept. comps declines

PLANO, Texas and Cincinnati JCPenney and Macy’s Inc. today each reported weak September results, with decreases in both comparable-store and total sales for the month.

JCPenney reported that comparable-store sales for its September period were down 4.6% and that total department store sales decreased by 1.2% to $1.36 billion from $1.38 billion last year. By comparison, Macy’s Inc. reported a same-store sales decrease of 2.7% and total sales decrease of 1.1% to $2.27 billion from $2.3 billion last year.

The companies attributed their September results to the usual suspects—weather and the housing market.

Myron Ullman, III, chairman and ceo of JCPenney said, "While unseasonable weather in large areas of the country and the well-chronicled issues affecting the housing market impacted our sales for the September period, we are encouraged by the favorable response to our fall merchandise assortments in areas experiencing normal temperatures and the ongoing strength of key categories, such as fine jewelry.”

For the month of October, JCPenney said it expects comparable-store sales to increase in the low- to mid-single digits, reflecting a major promotional event to be included in the October reporting period.

Macy's Inc. said it expects comparable-store sales in October to be in the range of down 1% to up 2%.