JC Penny is going to close 138 stores across the country, due to which about 5,000 employees could be affected, the company announced on Friday morning.

Seven stores in Michigan, ranging from the Upper Peninsula of Battle Creek will be closed.

According to the retail store chain’s release, "JC Penney is in the process of identifying relocation opportunities within the Company for esteemed leaders."

In Addition, “JC Penny will provide outplacement support services for those eligible associates, who will be leaving the Company.”

The retail store chain said that most closures are expected to occur in June, this year and most liquidation sales will start by 17th April.

The seven stores set to close in Michigan:

I.Lakeview Square Mall -- Battle Creek

II.Delta Plaza -- Escanaba

III.West shore Mall -- Holland

IV.Copper Country Mall -- Houghton

V.Birchwood Mall -- Kingsford

VI.Midland Mall -- Midland

VII.Cascade Crossings Sault Ste. Marie

The release comes less than a month after JC Penny announced that it would close 130-140 positions to "align the Company's physical store footprint and omnichannel network."

Last month, the company said that the closing stores represent between 13 to 14 % of the company’s portfolio and less than 5% of its sales
Company CEO, Marvin Ellison "We believe the relevance of our brick and mortar portfolio will be driven by the implementation of these initiatives consistently to a larger percent of our stores."

The decision to close stores will allow the company to raise the overall brand standard and allocate capital more efficiently.

"We understand that closing stores will impact the lives of many hard working associates, which is why we have decided to initiate a voluntary early retirement program for approximately 6,000 eligible associates."

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