one of America's largest retailers,
operating more than 1,140
department stores across the US,
Puerto Rico and
Mexico. First established in 1902 as a
single store by James
Cash Penney, under the name the Golden Rule
Store, Penney opened more stores creating a
chain. The name changed in 1913 by which
time the
chain consisted of 34 stores with sales exceeding $2 million. By the mid-1900s, the
chain had nationwide
recognition and had expanded its
product line to
include appliances, sporting
goods,
home furnishings, garden
centers, automotive
care, etc.