Willmar JC Penney not on closure list

The closest location that will be closing is in the Clearfield Mall.

The Plano, Texas-based retailer said liquidation sales at the stores designated for elimination will begin April 17.

One reason for the decision to close stores is the rise of online retailers, which Ellison referred to as a “growing threat” to J.C. Penney’s business.

J.C. Penney said the closings will eliminate 5,000 positions and that the stores will close in June.

The J.C Penney stores located in the Merritt Square Mall and the Melbourne Square Mall were not included among the 138 stores the company announced it will close nationwide.

Doors will remain open at J.C. Penney outlets at the Oakdale Mall and the Arnot Mall.

J.C. Penney Co.is closing its store in Easton as a part of a companywide plan to “optimize its national retail operations”, the company announced Friday in a press release.

The locations either need expensive, extensive renovation or are underperformers financially, the company said.

Company representatives announced the planned closure in February, citing a too-large footprint in a market being squeezed by online and niche retailers. Sheridan is the only location in Wyoming that was listed with the closures. It will also sell a distribution center in Buena Park, California, and offer early retirement to 6,000 employees.

Penney’s expects to save roughly $200 million a year by leaving these locations, which contributed less than 5 percent of its annual sales, CNBC reported this morning.

Kmart will close four New Jersey stores, including one in Rio Grande, and Macy’s is shuttering three.