National Retailer Recognized for Creating Inclusive and Diverse Work Environment; Receives Perfect Score

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 18, 2007--J. C. Penney Co., Inc. (NYSE: JCP) was honored at this year's Corporate Equality Index Awards for the Company's perfect score on the 2007 Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equality Index. The index is the only nationally recognized measure of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) workplace equality. As part of this recognition, JCPenney will be included on HRC's "Best Places to Work" list as well as the organization's annual "Buying for Equality" guide.

"Inclusion and diversity are integral to our goal of making JCPenney the preferred choice for a retail career," said Michael Theilmann, executive vice president and chief human resources officer for JCPenney. "By approaching all aspects of our business with an inclusive mindset, we're able to retain, attract and develop a diverse workforce that is reflective of the many communities we serve. We are proud of our efforts and are deeply committed to cultivating an environment where every Associate's contribution is respected and valued."

HRC recognized JCPenney for the Company's implementation of comprehensive workplace policies and Associate benefits such as domestic partner benefits, comprehensive diversity training sessions and an Associate GLBT affinity group.

About JCPenney

JCPenney is one of America's leading retailers, operating 1,064 department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as one of the largest apparel and home furnishing sites on the Internet, www.jcp.com, and the nation's largest general merchandise catalog business. Through these integrated channels, JCPenney offers a wide array of national, private and exclusive brands which reflect the Company's commitment to providing customers with style and quality at a smart price. Traded as "JCP" on the New York Stock Exchange, the Company posted revenue of $19.9 billion in 2006 and is executing its strategic plan to be the growth leader in the retail industry. Key to this strategy is JCPenney's "Every Day Matters" brand positioning, intended to generate deeper, more emotionally driven relationships with customers by fully engaging the Company's 155,000 Associates to offer encouragement, provide ideas and inspire customers every time they shop with JCPenney.

About the Corporate Equality Index

The HRC Foundation Corporate Equality Index is intended to serve as a benchmark to assist corporate diversity and work/life leaders in the evolving field of GLBT workplace policies. Each year, the HRC Foundation's Workplace Project sends a survey to all Fortune 1000, Standard & Poor's 500, AmLaw 100 and the top 200 Forbes largest private employers.

SOURCE: J. C. Penney Company, Inc.