Exhibit 23.1
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               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
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To the Board of Directors of
J. C. Penney Company, Inc.


We consent to incorporation by reference herein of our reports dated February
22, 2001 relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial
statement schedule of J. C. Penney Company, Inc. and subsidiaries and the
financial statements of J. C. Penney Funding Corporation as of January 27, 2001
and January 29, 2000, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended
January 27, 2001.

                                                     /s/ KPMG LLP

Dallas, Texas
November 9, 2001

S-8 - 401(k) Savings Plan - 29038.2
November 9, 2001
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