Struggling clothing retailer J.C. Penney announced Thursday that it plans to close around 40 stores in 2015.
Spokesman Joey Thomas told CNBC that the stores make up nearly 4 percent of the company’s 1,060 U.S. stores. The closures will force the company to cut 2,250 jobs.
“We continually evaluate our store portfolio to determine whether there's a need to close or relocate underperforming stores," Thomas told CNBC. "Reviews such as these are essential in meeting our long-term goals for future company growth."
The news comes just a few days after Wet Seal announced that it will close 338 stores. Sears has also been closing stores.
According to the Associated Press, Macy’s also said on Thursday that it will close 14 stores, but does plan on opening two new locations.
J.C. Penney has been in trouble since at least 2011, when former Apple executive Ron Johnson tried to turn the company around. It didn’t work and he was replaced by Myrin E. Ulman. In October, Marvin Ellison, a former Home Depot executive, was named the next CEO.
The company did report a 3.7 percent sales growth in stores during the holiday season compared to last year.
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