jcpenney Inspires Black Friday Shoppers to be the Best Santa Ever

PLANO, Texas, Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Reinforcing its position as a key destination for Black Friday shopping, jcpenney is bolstering its sales event this year with over 500 Doorbuster specials that will have customers lined up for its 4 a.m. opening at more than 1,100 stores nationwide. The Company will also seize the busiest shopping day of the year to engage its customers to help those less fortunate by generating a half a million-dollar donation to The Salvation Army.

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"With more customers shopping jcpenney on Black Friday than any other day of the year, this Christmas we're focused on making it easy for customers to be the best Santa ever to their friends, loved ones and even those in our communities who need our help," said Bill Gentner, senior vice president of marketing planning and promotions for jcpenney. "From our broad selection of unique and affordable gifts to exciting digital initiatives that connect customers to a meaningful cause, we are enhancing the Black Friday shopping experience to reinforce the true spirit of the season."

Making Black Friday Shopping Count

As the exclusive online destination for the Angel Giving Tree Online program, jcpenney – in collaboration with The Salvation Army – is leveraging the excitement of Black Friday to bring awareness to the importance of providing Christmas gifts to underprivileged kids and senior citizens across the country. To advance The Salvation Army's charitable mission to serve those in need, jcpenney is inviting its Black Friday customers to participate in one of two activities that will collectively prompt a Company donation of $500,000:

• On Thanksgiving Day, jcpenney will donate $50 to The Salvation Army, up to $400,000, for every Angel adopted online -- giving customers another reason to take advantage of Black Friday specials a day early on jcp.com.
• On Black Friday, jcpenney will donate $25 to The Salvation Army, up to $100,000, for every customer who uses Foursquare to check-in to a jcpenney store between 4 a.m. and 1 p.m.

To encourage nationwide support and participation, jcpenney will award the community with the most Foursquare check-ins on Black Friday with a celebratory shopping party to be held on Dec. 17. The winning store will host a food truck on-site complete with complimentary snacks and beverages to help energize time-strapped customers shopping jcpenney on the last weekend before Christmas.

About J. C. Penney Company, Inc.

J. C. Penney Company, Inc., one of America's leading retailers, operates over 1,100 jcpenney department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as one of the largest apparel and home furnishing sites on the Internet, jcp.com. Serving more than half of America's families each year, the jcpenney brand offers a wide array of private, exclusive and national brands which reflect the Company's vision to be America's shopping destination for discovering great styles at compelling prices. Traded as "JCP" on the New York Stock Exchange, the $17.8 billion retailer is transforming its organization to build a sustainable, profitable enterprise that serves its customers, engages its associates and rewards its shareholders.  For more information visit, www.jcpenney.net.

For further information contact:

jcpenney Media Relations:
Daphne Avila; 972-431-3400; [email protected]

SOURCE jcpenney