News
News

J.C. Penney is delaying store closings

FILE - In this April 9, 2013, file photo, signage at a J.C. Penney store is displayed in New York. J.C. Penney is listing the 138 locations it will shutter in the coming months as the retailer seeks to cut costs and improve its profitability. J.C. Penney Co. is hurting as more people shop online instead of heading to the mall. The closures are part of the company's previously announced plans to focus on its best-performing stores. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Credit: Mark Lennihan

Credit: Mark Lennihan

FILE - In this April 9, 2013, file photo, signage at a J.C. Penney store is displayed in New York. J.C. Penney is listing the 138 locations it will shutter in the coming months as the retailer seeks to cut costs and improve its profitability. J.C. Penney Co. is hurting as more people shop online instead of heading to the mall. The closures are part of the company's previously announced plans to focus on its best-performing stores. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
By Debbie Lord, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
April 14, 2017

J.C. Penney stores have seen "better than expected sales and traffic" in the weeks since the company announced it would close 138 stores, so plans have changed.

At least for a while.

A surge of customers looking for bargains as stores close has pushed back liquidation sales until May 22 and store closings to July 31, Joey Thomas, a spokesman for the company, told USA Today in an interview Thursday.

"Since announcing store closures, affected locations have seen better than expected sales and traffic," J.C. Penney spokesman Thomas told USA TODAY. Because of the increase in sales, it's "advantageous for the company to continue selling through spring and summer merchandise at current promotional levels by pushing liquidation back another month," Thomas said.

J.C. Penney said it expected annual savings of about $200 million from the cost-cutting measures when the company announced the closings.

ExploreClick here to see the stores that are set to be closed.

About the Author

Debbie Lord, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
More Stories

Keep Reading

Blue heron are just one of the hundreds of kinds of animals and plants that call the Okefenokee Swamp home. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Is the Okefenokee World Heritage material? Scientists are trying to find out.

International scientists visited the Okefenokee Swamp to help determine whether the refuge inside it belongs on the prestigious World Heritage List.

Ex-PSC candidate took notebook of Georgia Power trade secrets, police say

A warrant alleges former Public Service Commission candidate Patty Durand placed a booklet of Georgia Power trade secret information into her purse and left a hearing room.

The Latest

ajc.com

Credit: AJC File

Sweet Tea: Take a look in a book

13m ago

Where can I find it?

High school scoreboard: Friday night’s football action around the state

Featured

Housing affordability is the top concern for metro Atlanta residents, according to a new survey. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Metro Atlantans sour on housing affordability, pessimism is growing, poll says

The economy ranked as the top issue facing metro Atlanta last year, supplanting crime for the number one spot. This is the first year housing affordability has been an option.

DeKalb schools superintendent pleads not guilty to federal charges

Devon Horton has resigned from his role as DeKalb County superintendent, He has pleaded not guilty to federal charges stemming from his previous job in Illinois.

See video police say shows ex-PSC candidate Durand take Georgia Power secrets

Patty Durand has long criticized Georgia Power for concealing information under the cloak of trade secret about various initiatives and requests of state regulators.