Exhibit 23.1
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                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors
J. C. Penney Company, Inc.

We consent to the use of our reports dated February 22, 2001 with respect 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, incorporated
by reference herein.

                                        /s/ KPMG LLP

Dallas, Texas
January 28, 2002