Penney Opens 22 Stores

Plano, Texas, J. C. Penney Co. on Friday opened 22 stores, putting it on track to deliver 50 new locations in 2007.

Year-to-date, the retailer has opened 44 stores, with six more scheduled to open in the coming weeks. The openings are part of the company's long-range plan to open 250 new and relocated stores from 2007 through 2011.

Twenty of the 22 just-opened stores are in off-mall locations, and all of the stores incorporate a variety of features designed to enhance the shopping experience for customers. Eight of the new locations have an in-store, 1,500-sq.-ft. Sephora boutique.

One of the new stores, the location in The Shops at Northfield Stapleton in Denver, Colo., was selected to pilot a number of "green" building features, including LED lighting on signs, 100% recycled carpet, water-saving plumbing fixtures and appliances, local sourcing of materials, and recycling of construction waste.