JC Penney To Close 138 Stores, 5 in Oregon-Will Kennewick Stay Open?
Despite turning a profit in 2016, JC Penney announced the closure of some 138 stores across the country, joining Macy's and Sears as other retail outlets who are dropping locations. The retail giant is facing issues like the others, stemming from the growth of online shopping. The Boston Globe reported in February that analysts say these chains are what's called "overstored," meaning they have too many outlets to economically compete with online sales.
The list of 138 stores was published in many outlets Friday, and according to the Globe, the list includes 5 Oregon locations, one of them Pendleton, and LaGrande.
However, the Kennewick Columbia Center location is not on the list. In fact, only one Washington state store is slated to shutter, that being in Snohomish, WA.
About 5,000 jobs are expected to be lost at least.