For the first time on Friday, J.C. Penney listed the 138 locations it will shutter in the coming months as the retailer seeks to cut costs and improve its profitability. The list includes five stores in south Georgia.
Like other department stores, 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. About 5,000 jobs will be cut due to the closures, J.C. Penney said. The company had about 105,000 full and part-time employees last year.
Nine stores will close in Texas, the most of any state. Eight will close in Minnesota and seven will be shut in both Michigan and Pennsylvania.
The five Georgia stores on the list are:
- Dublin Mall, 2005 Veterans Blvd, Dublin.
- Macon Mall, 3661 Eisenhower Pkwy, Macon.
- Milledgeville Mall, 2400 N Columbia St, Milledgeville.
- Thomasville: Gateway Plaza, 15083 US 19 S.
- Tifton Mall, 458 Virginia Ave N, Tifton.
Alabama locations on the list are Auburn Mall, Tannehill Promenade in Bessemer, Gadsden Mall and Jasper Mall. Stores in North Carolina include Boone Mall, Eastridge Mall in Gastonia, Blue Ridge Mall in Hendersonville, Albemarle Crossing and Monroe Crossing in Monroe.
In South Carolina: Citadel Mall in Charleston, Town & Country Shopping Center in Easley.
In Tennessee: Greeneville Commons, Knoxville Center Mall and County Marketplace in Union City, Tenn.
Liquidation sales at the 138 stores will begin April 17, and most of the stores will be shut by mid-June, the company said.
The closings will leave J.C. Penney with a total of about 900 stores.
Brian O’Shea contributed to this article.
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