Another wave of closures is sweeping through JCPenney, as the beloved department store prepares to shutter seven more locations across the United States this weekend. For generations, JCPenney has been a cornerstone of American retail — a place where families shopped for everything from school clothes to home goods. But as the retail landscape continues its dramatic transformation, these latest closures serve as a stark reminder of the challenges facing even the most iconic brands. Read on to find out which stores are closing.
Say Goodbye to These JCPenney Stores
According to a JCPenney spokesperson who spoke with USA TODAY on Monday, May 19th, the following seven locations are scheduled to close their doors on May 25th:
- The Shops at Tanforan – San Bruno, California
- The Shops at Northfield – Denver, Colorado
- Pine Ridge Mall – Pocatello, Idaho
- West Ridge Mall – Topeka, Kansas
- Fox Run Mall – Newington, New Hampshire
- Asheville Mall – Asheville, North Carolina
- Charleston Town Center – Charleston, West Virginia
Earlier this year, JCPenney announced plans to close its store at Westfield Annapolis Mall in Annapolis, Maryland. However, on May 19th, a company spokesperson confirmed that the location will remain open through August 31st, thanks to an extended lease agreement.
Why JCPenney Is Closing More Locations
The recent announcement of additional JCPenney store closures, first revealed in February, marks another chapter in the retailer’s ongoing evolution. These closures occur after JCPenney significantly downsized its footprint, shuttering over 200 U.S. locations following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in May 2020.
JCPenney filed for bankruptcy, citing years of declining sales, mounting debt, and intensified pressure from online retailers. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the retailer’s financial struggles by forcing widespread store closures and disrupting foot traffic. In December of that same year, Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management Inc. acquired the company.
In January, JCPenney entered a new partnership with Forever 21 to establish Catalyst Brands, an umbrella company also encompassing Brooks Brothers, Aéropostale, Lucky Brand, Nautica, and Eddie Bauer. This new entity was projected to open 1,800 store locations and create 60,000 jobs. A JCPenney spokesperson clarified to USA TODAY that the current wave of store closures is not a direct consequence of this Catalyst Brands merger.
Instead, while specific details for each closure remain undisclosed, a JCPenney representative previously indicated that individual store decisions are often driven by factors such as “expiring lease agreements, market changes, or other factors.” It’s worth noting that while separate from these store closures, Catalyst Brands is currently undergoing its own “optimization” of its corporate structure, which has resulted in a reduction of approximately 9% of its corporate workforce.
JCPenney’s journey began in 1902 when James Cash Penney opened his first “Golden Rule” dry goods store in Kemmerer, Wyoming. Before its bankruptcy and merger with other brands, JCPenney reached its peak in terms of store count in 1973, with 2,053 stores across the country.
Source: USA Today