J.C. Penney in Woodridge among 138 stores that will close
J.C. Penney is closing 138 stores by June, including one in Centerpointe of Woodridge, and cutting about 5,000 positions, the company confirmed Friday.
This latest round includes six other stores in Illinois, including locations in Bloomington, Canton, Effingham, Macomb, Peru and Sterling. Liquidation sales will begin April 17.
J.C. Penney released the store closing list Friday as part of a plan announced a few weeks ago to close 130 to 140 stores as well as start a voluntary early retirement program for about 6,000 workers.
Besides these store closures, the company said it would also close a supply chain facility in Lakeland, Florida, and relocate another distribution center in Buena Park, California.
"J.C. Penney is in the process of identifying relocation opportunities within the company for esteemed leaders," said spokeswoman Kate Coultas. "Additionally, J.C. Penney will provide outplacement support services for those eligible associates who will be leaving the company."
This is the second round of closures announced by the struggling retailer since January. At that time, J.C. Penney said it would close 33 stores by his spring, including one at Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale, and cut about 2,000 positions.
"We believe we must take aggressive action to better align our retail operations for sustainable growth. During the year, it became evident the stores that could fully execute the company's growth initiatives of beauty, home refresh and special sizes generated significantly higher sales, and a more vibrant in-store shopping environment," Marvin R. Ellison, J.C. Penney chairman and CEO said in a statement.