Attention, shoppers! JCPenney announces May 25 closures for 7 Stores — Is your location is affected?
JCPenney will close seven stores nationwide on May 25 as part of its ongoing efforts to restructure and adapt to changing market conditions, continuing the wave of closures since its 2020 bankruptcy.
JCPenney is closing seven more stores across the United States this weekend as part of a wave of closures since the department store chain filed for bankruptcy in 2020. The recent closures follow as the company is pressed through ongoing restructuring under new ownership and as part of broader retail industry shifts.
The affected stores will shut their doors on May 25, crossing state lines from California and West Virginia. Even though the closures have nothing to do with JCPenney's recent merger into Catalyst Brands, the retailer cites expirations on leases and shifting market conditions as the reasons behind the store closures.
JCPenney announces closure of stores across the U.S.
Seven JCPenney stores across the U.S. close their doors for good this weekend.
They follow the shutdown of over 200 stores after JCPenney filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2020. JCPenney was later purchased by Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management Inc. in December 2020.
In January, JCPenney announced a merger deal with Forever 21 to form a new firm, Catalyst Brands, the owner of Brooks Brothers, Aeropostale, Lucky Brand, Nautica, and Eddie Bauer. Catalyst Brands will employ 60,000 people and have 1,800 stores.
JCPenney officials, however, have clarified that the recent store closures are not connected with the Catalyst Brands merger. A spokesperson for Catalyst Brands previously told USA TODAY that the company is “streamlining” its operations, and that meant eliminating approximately 9% of its corporate positions.
Which JCPenney stores are closing across America?
The stores closing on May 25 are:
- The Shops at Tanforan in San Bruno, California
- The Shops at Northfield in Denver, Colorado
- Pine Ridge Mall in Pocatello, Idaho
- West Ridge Mall in Topeka, Kansas
- Fox Run Mall in Newington, New Hampshire
- Asheville Mall in Asheville, North Carolina
- Charleston Town Center in Charleston, West Virginia
Earlier this year, JCPenney had slated its Westfield Annapolis Mall location in Maryland for closure. But a company representative confirmed on May 19 that the store will remain open through Aug. 31 due to a lease extension.
Why are JCPenney stores closing?
While specifics were not provided. According to USA Today, a JCPenney spokesperson has attributed store closures to “leases expiring agreements”, market changes, or other factors.
