SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    ---------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 4, 2005


                           J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


      Delaware                     1-15274                       26-0037077
(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission File No.)         (I.R.S. Employer
    of incorporation )                                       Identification No.)


6501 Legacy Drive
Plano, Texas                                                  75024-3698

(Address of principal executive offices)                      (Zip code)




Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (972) 431-1000


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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

[  ] Written communications  pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
     CFR 230.425)

[  ] Soliciting  material  pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17
     CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ] Pre-commencement  communications  pursuant  to Rule  14d-2(b)  under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ] Pre-commencement  communications  pursuant  to Rule  13d-4(c)  under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))









Item 5.02(c)  Departure  of  Directors  or  Principal   Officers;   Election  of
              Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers

     Ken C. Hicks has been  promoted  to the  position  of  President  and Chief
Merchandising  Officer of J. C.  Penney  Company,  Inc.  ("Company"),  effective
January 4, 2005.

     Mr. Hicks, age 52, joined JCPenney in 2002 as President and Chief Operating
Officer of Stores and Merchandise Operations of J. C. Penney Corporation,  Inc.,
the Company's wholly-owned operating subsidiary. In July 2004, he was elected as
an  officer  of the  parent  Company  to serve in that same  capacity.  Prior to
joining JCPenney,  he served as president of Payless Shoe Source, Inc. from 1999
to 2002.  He has also held senior  merchandising  positions at the Home Shopping
Network and May Department Stores.



Item 9.01(c)      Financial Statements and Exhibits

    Exhibit 99    News Release dated January 4, 2005  announcing  the promotion 
of Ken C. Hicks to the position of President and Chief Merchandising  Officer of
J. C. Penney Company, Inc.














                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                               J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.



                                                By:  /s/ Jeffrey J. Vawrinek 
                                                   ---------------------------
                                                   Jeffrey J. Vawrinek
                                                   Assistant Secretary




Date:  January 7, 2005