JCPenney Store Closures in 2025: What Shoppers Need to Know
Explore the latest JCPenney store closures across the U.S. in 2025, uncovering the impact on shoppers and communities while understanding the broader retail shifts shaping Catalyst Brands’ strategy.
Key Takeaways
- JCPenney is closing 7 stores nationwide by May 25, 2025.
- Closures are unrelated to the Catalyst Brands merger.
- JCPenney emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020 after closing 200+ stores.
- Catalyst Brands now oversees multiple retail names including JCPenney and Forever 21.
- Ohio’s 25 JCPenney stores remain open with no closures announced.
JCPenney, a retail giant founded in 1902, is once again reshaping its footprint in 2025. This May, seven JCPenney stores across the U.S. will close their doors for good, marking another chapter in the company’s ongoing evolution. These closures come after the retailer’s 2020 Chapter 11 bankruptcy and a major merger in January 2025 that created Catalyst Brands, a retail conglomerate including Forever 21 and Brooks Brothers. While some might see store closures as a sign of decline, JCPenney stresses these moves are strategic, driven by lease expirations and market shifts rather than the merger itself. For shoppers and employees, these changes bring mixed emotions—nostalgia for familiar stores and curiosity about what’s next. This article unpacks the latest closures, their context, and what they mean for communities and consumers alike.
Understanding JCPenney Closures
When JCPenney announced the closure of seven stores by May 25, 2025, it wasn’t a sudden decision but part of a longer journey. The company had already closed over 200 locations after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2020—a legal move that gave it breathing room to reorganize. These latest closures, spread across states like California, Colorado, and West Virginia, stem from expiring lease agreements and shifting market dynamics rather than financial distress tied to the recent Catalyst Brands merger. Think of it as pruning a tree to help it grow stronger.
For shoppers and employees, these closures carry emotional weight. Stores like the one in San Bruno, California, or Asheville, North Carolina, have been community fixtures. Yet, JCPenney reassures customers that about 650 other stores remain open nationwide, alongside its online platform. This balance between contraction and continuity reflects a retail world where physical presence is being reimagined, not abandoned.
Catalyst Brands Merger Impact
In January 2025, JCPenney merged with SPARC Group, the parent company of Forever 21, to form Catalyst Brands. This new retail giant now oversees six brands, including Brooks Brothers and Lucky Brand, boasting 1,800 store locations and employing 60,000 people. Despite this massive union, JCPenney’s spokesperson clarified that the May store closures are unrelated to the merger.
Why the disconnect? Catalyst Brands is focused on optimizing its structure, which includes cutting about 9% of corporate roles, but the physical store closures are isolated decisions tied to leases and market shifts. This separation challenges the myth that mergers always lead to widespread store shutdowns. Instead, Catalyst Brands appears to be fine-tuning its portfolio, balancing growth with efficiency—like a chef adjusting a recipe to perfect the flavor without tossing out the whole dish.
Geographic Spread of Closures
The seven JCPenney stores closing on May 25, 2025, are scattered across the country, from San Bruno, California, to Charleston, West Virginia. This geographic diversity highlights that no single region is bearing the brunt, but rather isolated locations facing unique challenges. For example, the store at The Shops at Tanforan in San Bruno and the one in Pine Ridge Mall, Pocatello, Idaho, are among those impacted.
Interestingly, Ohio, home to 25 JCPenney stores, sees no closures this round. This suggests that some markets remain strong or strategically important. The Westfield Annapolis Mall store in Maryland was slated to close but will remain open through August thanks to a lease extension. These nuances remind us that retail decisions are rarely one-size-fits-all but tailored to local realities.
Retail Trends Behind Store Closures
JCPenney’s closures are part of a broader retail trend where department stores like Macy’s and Kohl’s are also shuttering locations in 2025. Joann Fabrics is closing all 850 of its stores, and Big Lots is downsizing by 600 stores nationwide. These moves reflect changing consumer habits, rising e-commerce competition, and the need for retailers to optimize physical footprints.
For JCPenney, the closures come after a turbulent decade marked by bankruptcy and ownership changes. The company’s survival and adaptation through mergers and selective store closures illustrate a retail world in flux. It’s a reminder that physical stores must evolve or risk becoming relics. Shoppers may mourn the loss of familiar aisles, but these shifts aim to keep brands relevant and financially healthy in a digital age.
What Shoppers Should Expect
If your local JCPenney is among the seven closing stores, the immediate impact is clear: no more in-person shopping at that location after May 25, 2025. However, JCPenney encourages customers to visit its remaining 650 stores or shop online. This dual approach reflects a retail strategy blending brick-and-mortar presence with e-commerce convenience.
For shoppers, this means adapting to new ways of engaging with the brand. The closure of physical stores doesn’t mean the end of JCPenney’s offerings but a shift in how and where you find them. It’s a call to embrace flexibility—whether that’s discovering deals online or exploring nearby stores. The retail landscape is changing, but the quest for value and style remains constant.
Long Story Short
The closing of seven JCPenney stores in May 2025 is a poignant reminder of retail’s shifting landscape. While it’s never easy to say goodbye to neighborhood staples, these closures reflect broader market realities and strategic recalibrations within Catalyst Brands. For customers, the message is clear: JCPenney remains committed to serving America’s diverse families through its remaining 650 stores and online presence. For employees and communities, the transition underscores the importance of adaptability in a changing economy. As JCPenney and its partners navigate this new chapter, shoppers can expect a leaner, more focused retail experience. The relief of a funded emergency account or the thrill of a well-timed sale might soften the sting of store closures, but the story is far from over. Retail is evolving, and so must we.