Dean Drobot, Sk de sansak@design, JcPenney JC Penney sends an urgent notice to its customers: it's now or never
The American company issues a statement that leaves its followers speechless
This past weekend, several JC Penney branches in the United States closed their doors, in a process the company had already announced since the beginning of the year. Although it coincided with Memorial Day weekend, these closures are related to a strategy to adapt to the transformation of the retail sector.
Fewer stores, new challenges
At the beginning of 2025, JC Penney announced that they would close eight of their stores in May. However, in the end, only seven branches will cease operations starting May 25. A company spokesperson explained that "there are no plans for a significant reduction in the number of stores, but we do expect some isolated closures in the middle of the year."
These closures represent less than 2% of the more than 650 stores the company currently operates. The decision is part of a broader context where the U.S. retail sector is facing the prolonged effects of the pandemic, as well as the growth of e-commerce and changes in consumer habits.
Factors behind the closures
"The decision to close a store is never easy," the spokesperson added, "but sometimes isolated closures occur due to lease expirations, market changes, or other reasons." According to Coresight Research, nearly 15,000 stores in different sectors are expected to close this year, more than double the 7,325 that closed last year.
Inflation and the growing preference for online shopping have hit the sector hard, noted Deborah Weinswig, CEO of Coresight, in a report from last January. These factors are redefining the physical presence of retail chains in the United States.
List of JC Penney stores that will close this year
The branches that will cease operations in May are distributed across several states:
California, San Bruno: The Shops at Tanforan, 1122 El Camino Real
Colorado, Denver: The Shops at Northfield, 8568 E 49th Ave
Idaho, Pocatello: Pine Ridge Mall, 4201 Yellowstone Ave
Kansas, Topeka: West Ridge Mall, 1821 SW Wanamaker Road
North Carolina, Asheville: Asheville Mall, 3 S Tunnel Road
New Hampshire, Newington: Mall at Fox Run, 50 Fox Run Road
West Virginia, Charleston: Charleston Town Center, 401 Lee Street E
Additionally, the JC Penney store at Annapolis Mall, Maryland, announced in April that it would close, but after negotiations decided to remain open until August. The lease was extended and the company continues to negotiate with the mall owners to extend the term.
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