Stores Report Sales, Part 2

With reports from JCPenney, Tuesday Morning, Big Lots, TJX, Duckwall-AlCO, Dollar General, Tweeter

Compiled from PRNewswire, Associated Press, BusinessWire, Reuters and company reports



JCPenney June Sales Up 8.1%; Comps Increase 7.4%

PLANO, TX — J. C. Penney Company comparable department store sales increased 7.4% for the five weeks ended July 2, 2005, which was better than previous guidance of a low-single digit increase, according to a Business Wire report.

In last year's June period, comparable department store sales increased 4.4%. Total department store sales increased 8.1%. Department store sales were positive across all merchandise divisions, with the strongest performance in women's accessories, women's and men's apparel and family shoes. Men's sportswear and accessories performed well during Father's Day. Geographically, sales were also positive across all regions of the country, with the strongest sales in the northeast.

Direct (catalog/Internet) sales increased 9.1%, ahead of previous guidance for a low- to mid-single digit increase and compared to a 3.4% decline in the same period last year. The Internet component of sales increased approximately 40% for the month on top of a 25% increase in the same period last year.

For the month of July, the company expects comparable department store sales to increase low-single digits compared to an increase of 8.1% in last year's July period. Direct (catalog/Internet) sales are expected to increase low- to mid-single digits compared to a decline of 1.1% last year.

J. C. Penney Corporation operates 1,017 JCPenney department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.



Tuesday Morning 2Q Net Up 3.8%; 2Q Comps Down 4.7%

DALLAS — Tuesday Morning Corporation today reported that net sales increased 3.8% to $218.8 million for the 2Q ended June 30, 2005 compared to $210.7 million for the same period in 2004.

For the year-to-date period, sales are up 6.6% to $404.4 million in 2005 compared to $379.3 million at June 30, 2004. Comparable store sales decreased 4.7% for the 2Q and 2.7% for the year-to-date period.

Tuesday Morning operates 692 stores in 45 states during periodic "sale events."



Big Lots June Sales Up 6.9%; Comps Up 1.1%

COLUMBUS, OH — Big Lots said Thursday that comps increased 1.1% in June — below analysts' expectations for a 3.6% increase, according to Thomson Financial. The retailer also forecast wider-than-expected