J.C. Penney Shares Rise After Holiday Same-store Sales Increase 3.9%

J.C. Penney Co. Inc. shares were up 2.9% in premarket trading after it said it saw a 3.9% year-over-year same-store sales increase during the November and December holiday selling season. Same-store sales increased despite the affect of unseasonable weather on apparel sales because of the focus on private brands, digital sales and merchandise selection, said Chief Executive Marvin Ellison said in a statement. Online sales were also at record levels, and Ellison said many customers took advantage of the buy-online-pick-up-in-store option.