JCPenney has announced they will close 130-140 stores nationwide.
There are seven local stores, including locations at the Boulevard Mall, Walden Galleria, Eastern Hills Mall, McKinley Mall, Chautauqua Mall, D & F plaza in Dunkirk, and in the Batavia City Center. It's unclear which, if any, of these stores will close.
“The company plans to release a full list of planned closures in mid-March pending notification of all affected personnel."
In a press release, the company said, "we believe we must take aggressive action to better align our retail operations for sustainable growth.
Some associates will be allowed to participate in a "voluntary early retirement program," according to the company, while others will receive separation benefits. There's no word on the total number of jobs lost.
The closure represents more than 10% of the company's stores nationwide.
