JCPenney is scaling back operations across the United States.
The retailer will close down eight stores around the nation by mid-2025, according to USA Today, Axios and KTTV-TV.
A majority of the JCPenney stores set to close are located in shopping malls, including those at the Westfield Annapolis Mall in Annapolis, Md.; the Pine Ridge Mall in Pocatello, Idaho; the West Ridge Mall in Topeka, Kan.; the Fox Run Mall in Newington, N.H. and the Asheville Mall in Asheville, N.C.
Others are located in town centers or areas with a cluster of shops, such as the one at the Charleston Town Center in Charleston, W. Va.; the Shops at Tanforan in San Bruno, Calif. and the Shops at Northfield in Denver, Colo.
JCPenney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
A spokesperson for the retailer told KTTV-TV and USA Today in a statement that “the decision to close a store is never an easy one.” They added that individual store closures may happen due to “expiring lease agreements, market changes or other factors.”
“We are grateful to our dedicated associates and the loyal customers who have shopped at these locations,” the spokesperson continued, per the outlets. “We continue to work to make every dollar count for America’s diverse, working families and welcome them to shop at our other JCPenney stores in the area and at JCPenney.com.”
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JCPenney was founded in 1902 and prides itself as one of the “nation’s largest retailers of apparel, home, jewelry, and beauty merchandise,” according to its website.
The retailer, which has stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, said it works to “deliver style and value for all hard-working American families.”
In early 2020, JCPenney filed for bankruptcy reorganization under Chapter 11, tied to the strains of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The company later emerged in December 2020 with new owners, including Brookfield Asset Management and Simon Property Group, as well as a new plan to restructure its stores and reduce debt.
In January 2025, JCPenney merged with Sparc Group, the parent company of brands like Aeropostale, Lucky Brand and Forever 21, in order to form a new company called Catalyst Brands.
Last month, however, it was announced that Forever 21 would permanently shut down its stores across the U.S. after filing for bankruptcy for the second time. Forever 21 U.S. operator OpCO, LLC. said stores are closing down due to “rising costs” and “competition from fast fashion companies.”
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