Bad news for JCPenney customers: These are the stores closing on May 25 | Full list of locations

Earlier this year, troubled retailer JCPenney announced a round of closures which would directly affect eight stores. Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notices were filed this month for seven stores which will pull down the shutters permanently on Sunday 25 May.

Annapolis store gets extension

The Westfield Annapolis Mall in Maryland was due to close on May 16, with 74 employees set to lose their jobs. However, it appears that the store has been granted a lease extension and will remain open, for now, at least until August 31.

The stores that are closing this weekend will hold a huge blowout sale with all pink ticketed items priced at just $5.

Founded in 1902, the company has over 650 locations in the United States and Puerto Rico but has struggled during the 21st Century. The retailer was hit by dwindling sales due to the rise of internet shopping then was dealt another body blow with the Covid pandemic, which saw revenue further decline.

Bankruptcy, RSA and merger

JCPenney filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in Texas in May 2020. The company entered a restructuring support agreement (RSA) with lenders in a bid to to reduce its debts and strengthen its financial position. During the past five years alone, it has closed 200 locations.

While no reason has been given for this month’s closures, it is believed that they may be due to expiring 20-year lease agreements along with other factors, although the company stresses it is unrelated to the brand’s merger with the SPARC Group back at the start of the New Year.

The chain is expect to continue downsizing with the sale of a number of properties in the pipeline for later this year. JCPenney is not the only department store to announce store closures, Macy’s and Kolhs have made similar moves as the brands have also struggled in the new consumption environment.

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