Across the board, retailers' biggest focus this year remains driving sales, market share and traffic, as they have fewer levers to pull from cost reduction efforts that helped to bolster profit, analysts said. Retailers are a lot more proactive, offering exclusive merchandise such as Jean Paul Gaultier at Target, or Cindy Crawford's home collection at J. C. Penney to set themselves apart from rivals. To be sure, analysts caution investors shouldn't read too much into results from February, which they said represent about a quarter of sales in the first quarter and is one of the smallest months of the year alongside January. Consumers, facing a still near 10% high unemployment rate, remain wary and watchful over their budgets, analysts said. "March and April will be a good indicator" of consumer demand, said analyst Wayne Hood of BMO Capital Markets in an interview. 
Share:  Across the board, retailers' biggest focus this year remains driving sales, market share and traffic, as they have fewer levers to pull from cost reduction efforts that helped to bolster profit, analysts said. Retailers are a lot more proactive, offering exclusive merchandise such as Jean Paul Gaultier at Target, or Cindy Crawford's home collection at <span class="company">J. C. Penney</span> to set themselves apart from rivals. To be sure, analysts caution investors shouldn't read too much into results from February, which they said represent about a quarter of sales in the first quarter and is one of the smallest months of the year alongside January. Consumers, facing a still near 10% high unemployment rate, remain wary and watchful over their budgets, analysts said.<span class="sent"> "March and April will be a good indicator" of consumer demand, said analyst <span class="analyst">Wayne Hood</span> of BMO Capital Markets in an interview.</span>...Across the board, retailers' biggest focus this year remains driving sales, market share and traffic, as they have fewer levers to pull from cost reduction efforts that helped to bolster profit, analysts said. Retailers are a lot more proactive, offering exclusive merchandise such as Jean Paul Gaultier at Target, or Cindy Crawford's home collection at <span class="company">J. C. Penney</span> to set themselves apart from rivals. To be sure, analysts caution investors shouldn't read too much into results from February, which they said represent about a Tweet this 

, to spur consumer demand. J. C. Penney ( JCP 28.92 , +0.04 , +0.14% ) on Tuesday unveiled its spring offerings in New York featuring exclusive designs by celebrities and designers including Cindy Crawford and the Olsen twins."It appears the consumer is rebuilding their appetite for consumption. or at least willing to pay full price again," said J. P. Morgan analyst Brian Tunick. "While mall traffic is projected to be flat for the month, it does sound like increased conversion and lower markdowns were key to the (same store sales) gains.". 
Share:  , to spur consumer demand. <span class="company">J. C. Penney</span> ( JCP 28.92 , +0.04 , +0.14% ) on Tuesday unveiled its spring offerings in New York featuring exclusive designs by celebrities and designers including Cindy Crawford and the Olsen twins."It appears the consumer is rebuilding their appetite for consumption.<span class="sent"> or at least willing to pay full price again," said J. P. Morgan analyst <span class="analyst">Brian Tunick</span>. "While mall traffic is projected to be flat for the month, it does sound like increased conversion and lower markdowns were key to the (same store sales) gains.".</span>..., to spur consumer demand. <span class="company">J. C. Penney</span> ( JCP 28.92 , +0.04 , +0.14% ) on Tuesday unveiled its spring offerings in New York featuring exclusive designs by celebrities and designers including Cindy Crawford and the Olsen twins."It appears the consumer is rebuilding their appetite for consumption.<span class="sent"> or at least willing to pay full price again," said J. P. Morgan analyst <span class="analyst">Brian Tunick</span>. "While mall traffic is projected to be flat for the month, it does sound like increased conversion and lower markdowns were key to the (same store sales) gains.".</span> Tweet this 

, TJX Cos ( TJX 40.98 , 0.10 , 0.24% ) and J. C. Penney, have headed higher, Retail Metrics data showed."Multiple snow storms wreaked havoc in much of the U. S., particularly in the first part of the month but traffic rebounded and spending looked to have been solid as new early spring sets hit the floors," said Ken Perkins of research firm Retail Metrics. To be sure, analysts caution investors shouldn't read too much into results from February, which they said represent about a quarter of sales in the first quarter and is one of the smallest months of the year alongside January. Industry giant Wal Mart Stores Inc ( WMT 53.55 , 0.04 , 0.07% ) no longer reports monthly sales. 
Share:  , TJX Cos ( TJX 40.98 , 0.10 , 0.24% ) and <span class="company">J. C. Penney,</span> have headed higher, Retail Metrics data showed."Multiple<span class="sent"> snow storms wreaked havoc in much of the U. S., particularly in the first part of the month but traffic rebounded and spending looked to have been solid as new early spring sets hit the floors," said <span class="analyst">Ken Perkins</span> of research firm Retail Metrics.</span> To be sure, analysts caution investors shouldn't read too much into results from February, which they said represent about a quarter of sales in the first quarter and is one of the smallest months of the year alongside January. Industry giant Wal Mart Stores Inc ( WMT 53.55 , 0.04 , 0.07% ) no longer reports monthly sales. Tweet this 

, to spur consumer demand. J. C. Penney ( JCP 28.92 , +0.04 , +0.14% ) on Tuesday unveiled its spring offerings in New York featuring exclusive designs by celebrities and designers including Cindy Crawford and the Olsen twins."It appears the consumer is rebuilding their appetite for consumption. or at least willing to pay full price again," said J. P. Morgan analyst Brian Tunick. "While mall traffic is projected to be flat for the month, it does sound like increased conversion and lower markdowns were key to the (same store sales) gains.". 
Share:  , to spur consumer demand. <span class="company">J. C. Penney</span> ( JCP 28.92 , +0.04 , +0.14% ) on Tuesday unveiled its spring offerings in New York featuring exclusive designs by celebrities and designers including Cindy Crawford and the Olsen twins."It appears the consumer is rebuilding their appetite for consumption.<span class="sent"> or at least willing to pay full price again," said J. P. Morgan analyst <span class="analyst">Brian Tunick</span>. "While mall traffic is projected to be flat for the month, it does sound like increased conversion and lower markdowns were key to the (same store sales) gains.".</span>..., to spur consumer demand. <span class="company">J. C. Penney</span> ( JCP 28.92 , +0.04 , +0.14% ) on Tuesday unveiled its spring offerings in New York featuring exclusive designs by celebrities and designers including Cindy Crawford and the Olsen twins."It appears the consumer is rebuilding their appetite for consumption.<span class="sent"> or at least willing to pay full price again," said J. P. Morgan analyst <span class="analyst">Brian Tunick</span>. "While mall traffic is projected to be flat for the month, it does sound like increased conversion and lower markdowns were key to the (same store sales) gains.".</span> Tweet this 

, TJX Cos ( TJX 40.98 , 0.10 , 0.24% ) and J. C. Penney, have headed higher, Retail Metrics data showed."Multiple snow storms wreaked havoc in much of the U. S., particularly in the first part of the month but traffic rebounded and spending looked to have been solid as new early spring sets hit the floors," said Ken Perkins of research firm Retail Metrics. To be sure, analysts caution investors shouldn't read too much into results from February, which they said represent about a quarter of sales in the first quarter and is one of the smallest months of the year alongside January. Industry giant Wal Mart Stores Inc ( WMT 53.53 , 0.06 , 0.11% ) no longer reports monthly sales. 
Share:  , TJX Cos ( TJX 40.98 , 0.10 , 0.24% ) and <span class="company">J. C. Penney,</span> have headed higher, Retail Metrics data showed."Multiple<span class="sent"> snow storms wreaked havoc in much of the U. S., particularly in the first part of the month but traffic rebounded and spending looked to have been solid as new early spring sets hit the floors," said <span class="analyst">Ken Perkins</span> of research firm Retail Metrics.</span> To be sure, analysts caution investors shouldn't read too much into results from February, which they said represent about a quarter of sales in the first quarter and is one of the smallest months of the year alongside January. Industry giant Wal Mart Stores Inc ( WMT 53.53 , 0.06 , 0.11% ) no longer reports monthly sales. Tweet this 

JC Penney Company, Inc (NYSE:JCP) surged 050% to $2782 analyst at Goldman Sachs raised its 2010 and 2011 EPS estimates for JCP to $155 and $180, respectively, citing lower pension costs 
Share:  <span class="sent">JC Penney Company, Inc (NYSE:JCP) surged 050% to $2782 analyst at <span class="analyst">Goldman Sachs</span> raised its 2010 and 2011 EPS estimates for JCP to $155 and $180, respectively, citing lower pension costs</span> Tweet this 

Penney's stock rose $170 to $2766 a share Like Wal Mart, which reported its first ever quarterly sales drop this week, Penney appears to be missing out on selective "trading up" by some shoppers as the economy stabilizes, said JPMorgan analyst Charles Grom 
Share:  <span class="company">Penney</span>'s stock rose $170 to $2766 a share<span class="sent"> Like Wal Mart, which reported its first ever quarterly sales drop this week, <span class="company">Penney</span> appears to be missing out on selective "trading up" by some shoppers as the economy stabilizes, said JPMorgan analyst <span class="analyst">Charles Grom</span></span>...<span class="company">Penney</span>'s stock rose $170 to $2766 a share<span class="sent"> Like Wal Mart, which reported its first ever quarterly sales drop this week, <span class="company">Penney</span> appears to be missing out on selective "trading up" by some shoppers as the economy stabilizes, said JPMorgan analyst <span class="analyst">Charles Grom</span></span> Tweet this 

So the fact that they say they can get positive comp sales this year is significant," said Erika Maschmeyer, a senior research analyst with Robert W Baird & Co "JC Penney has been a laggard as a stock and on the comp performance side, so a little bit of this is sort of catch up" Penney's plans for 2010 
Share:  <span class="sent">So the fact that they say they can get positive comp sales this year is significant," said <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span>, a senior research analyst with Robert W Baird & Co "JC <span class="company">Penney</span> has been a laggard as a stock and on the comp performance side, so a little bit of this is sort of catch up"</span> <span class="company">Penney</span>'s plans for 2010...<span class="sent">So the fact that they say they can get positive comp sales this year is significant," said <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span>, a senior research analyst with Robert W Baird & Co "JC <span class="company">Penney</span> has been a laggard as a stock and on the comp performance side, so a little bit of this is sort of catch up"</span> <span class="company">Penney</span>'s plans for 2010 Tweet this 

"The top line recovery does not appear to be happening as fast for JC Penney as it is for some of the firm's closest competitors," said Morningstar analyst Kimberley Picciola in a note 
Share:  <span class="sent">"The top line recovery does not appear to be happening as fast for JC Penney as it is for some of the firm's closest competitors," said <span class="analyst">Morningstar</span> analyst Kimberley Picciola in a note</span> Tweet this 

J.C. Penney Company Inc ( ), a leading retailer of apparel and footwear, accessories, fashion jewelry, beauty products and home furnishings, reported fiscal 2009 fourth quarter results before the opening bell on Friday. Quarterly earnings came in at 84 cents per share, which declined 106% from 94 cents recorded in the year ago quarter However, the result surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 82 cents derived from 13 covering analysts as well as the recent management guidance of 77 cents to 82 cents per share 
Share:  <span class="sent"><span class="company">J.C. Penney Company Inc</span> ( ), a leading retailer of apparel and footwear, accessories, fashion jewelry, beauty products and home furnishings, reported fiscal 2009 fourth quarter results before the opening bell on Friday. </span> Quarterly earnings came in at 84 cents per share, which declined 106% from 94 cents recorded in the year ago quarter However, the result surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 82 cents derived from 13 covering analysts as well as the recent management guidance of 77 cents to 82 cents per share Tweet this