Summary (tl;dr)

JCPenney is continuing to close stores across the United States as part of an ongoing restructuring effort following its 2020 bankruptcy, driven by declining mall traffic, changing consumer habits, and financial struggles.

Essential Background

JCPenney, founded in 1902, grew to become a prominent American department store chain, peaking with over 2,000 locations in the 1970s. However, the company faced significant challenges in the early 21st century due to the rise of internet retail and a decline in shopping mall foot traffic. These struggles culminated in JCPenney filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the immediate announcement of hundreds of store closures. The company later emerged from bankruptcy under new ownership, including mall operators Simon Property Group and Brookfield Properties, and is now part of Catalyst Brands.

The Full Story

JCPenney is continuing to reduce its physical footprint with a series of store closings in 2025 and 2026. At least six locations are confirmed to close or have already closed in 2026, including the company's last store in Chicago, located in the Ford City Mall, which shut down earlier than expected due to safety concerns at the mall itself. Other 2026 closures include stores in Pleasanton, California; Sanford, Florida; Goodlettsville, Tennessee; and Springfield, Virginia, with an additional store in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, expected to close by September 2026. In 2025, eight JCPenney locations were slated for closure across states such as California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and West Virginia. These ongoing closures are attributed to a combination of expiring lease agreements, evolving market conditions, persistent financial difficulties, and a continuing shift away from traditional in-store shopping. Since early 2020, JCPenney's store count has significantly decreased from 846 to approximately 641 locations nationwide.

Why It Matters

The continued trend of JCPenney store closings highlights the broader struggles facing traditional department stores and the brick-and-mortar retail sector. These closures can result in job losses for employees and leave large commercial vacancies in shopping malls, further impacting local economies and the viability of these retail centers. For JCPenney, these actions are part of a strategic effort under its new ownership, Catalyst Brands, to streamline operations, focus on more profitable locations, and adapt to changing consumer preferences that increasingly favor online shopping and convenience.

Geographic Location

• Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasanton, California, United States (store closure)
• The Shops at Tanforan, San Bruno, California, United States (store closure)
• The Shops at Northfield, Denver, Colorado, United States (store closure)
• Seminole Towne Center, Sanford, Florida, United States (store closure)
• Pine Ridge Mall, Pocatello, Idaho, United States (store closure)
• Ford City Mall, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States (store closure, last in Chicago)
• West Ridge Mall, Topeka, Kansas, United States (store closure)
• Annapolis Mall, Annapolis, Maryland, United States (store closure)
• Mall at Fox Run, Newington, New Hampshire, United States (store closure)
• Asheville Mall, Asheville, North Carolina, United States (store closure)
• Ross Park Mall, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States (store closure expected September 2026)
• Rivergate Mall, Goodlettsville, Tennessee, United States (store closure)
• Springfield Town Center, Springfield, Virginia, United States (store closure)
• Charleston Town Center, Charleston, West Virginia, United States (store closure)