JCPenney Set to Close Stores in Five Days: See List of Locations

JCPenney will shutter seven of its retail locations across the United States on Sunday, May 25, as the company continues restructuring efforts following its 2020 bankruptcy filing.

The closures mark another chapter in the retailer's ongoing transformation amid a challenging retail environment shaped by shifting consumer behavior, rising operational costs, and the continuing decline of mall-based shopping.

The seven JCPenney locations span California to West Virginia and were first flagged for closure earlier this year.

Why It Matters

The JCPenney store closures underscore continued instability in traditional brick-and-mortar retail, especially for department stores historically reliant on mall traffic. The latest shutdowns are all taking place in mall-based locations.

Which JCPenney Locations Are Closing?

According to USA Today, the following stores are scheduled to permanently close on May 25:

• 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

These closures follow the retailer's February announcement about scaling back operations in selected markets. One JCPenney store previously listed for closure in Annapolis, Maryland, will remain open until at least August 31, after the company negotiated an extended lease agreement.

Why Is JCPenney Closing?

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and broader economic pressures, JCPenney's store footprint has dramatically decreased.

Since its Chapter 11 filing in 2020, the retailer has closed more than 200 stores. Despite those reductions, the company continues operating hundreds of locations nationwide, while experimenting with new brand collaborations under the Catalyst Brands umbrella.

The company was purchased in late 2020 by Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management following its bankruptcy.

All the stores affected by this round of closures are inside malls, a format under increasing strain. Simon Property Group, a leading mall operator, has acknowledged a 5 percent drop in mall occupancy over the past two years.

The closures also follow a recent partnership between JCPenney and fashion brand Forever 21, part of a strategy to form Catalyst Brands, which includes labels like Brooks Brothers, Aéropostale, and Lucky Brand, per a January press release.

What Happens Next

Customers can still access JCPenney's online store and remaining retail outlets across the United States. In the short term, the company is focusing on sales through May 25, with expected discounts on apparel and home goods.