Twenty years ago, if you needed to buy clothing, shoes, or household decor, it’s highly likely that you got into your car and drove to your local shopping mall.
The mall has been a staple of American life since the ’80s, and one where many teenagers under 18 went to meet their friends and spend a fun afternoon or evening.
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In the last decade or so, however, shopping malls seemed to be at first suffering, then moving toward the brink of extinction as consumers shifted their habits. Amazon’s Prime shipping became so fast (often same-day for millions of items) that the same consumers who once drove to the mall to make their purchases realized they could save time by simply placing an online order.
Related: Another popular mall retailer closing stores nationwide for good
While the news has been full of gloom about the future of shopping malls, however, data on customer behavior tells a different story.
Foot traffic in shopping malls was up by 12% in 2022 compared to 2019, according to a report published in June 2023 by Coresight Research. Traffic in average- to lower-income areas was also up by 10%.
Malls in higher-income areas — meaning that the average shopper earns more than $200,000 a year — were more than 95% leased in 2022, which suggests a simple takeaway. High earners may still prefer to shop in person, especially for higher-ticket items like handbags and clothing.
All of this said, some shopping mall staples are still struggling, and one of the best-known names has unfortunately just announced that more store closures are on the way.
Shoppers may mourn the loss of JCPenney stores that are closing their doors.
Image source: Shutterstock
A shopping mall staple shutters more locations
JCPenney, which has been in business for 123 years as of 2025, has announced plans to shutter eight more locations this year.
Most of the closures are in malls. The locations include the Asheville Mall in Asheville, North Carolina; the Fox Run Mall in Newington, New Hampshire; the West Ridge Mall in Topeka, Kansas; the Westfield Annapolis Mall in Annapolis, Maryland; and the Pine Ridge Mall in Pocatello, Idaho.
Related: Bankrupt retail chain’s CEO pay package threatens its future
Store closures not in shopping malls include the Shops at Northfield in Denver, Colorado; the Charleston Town Center in Charleston, West Virginia; and the Shops at Tanforan in San Bruno, California.
JCPenney’s bankruptcy and struggles since
JCPenney filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in May of 2020, citing the Covid pandemic as a key reason for the move. At the time, the company was carrying $4 billion in debt.
Things looked dire, but in December of 2020, JCPenney got a major save. Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management acquired the company for $1.75 billion, giving it a chance to restructure its debt and potentially make a comeback.
Another positive came in 2025 in the form of a merger. JCPenney announced in January that it would combine forces with Sparc Group to form a new company called Catalyst Brands. Other names under the same umbrella include Lucky Brand, Eddie Bauer, Aeropostale, and Nautica. The new company will be led by JCPenney CEO Marc Rosen out of its offices in Plano, Texas.
“Catalyst Brands brings together the rich heritage of six unique brands with modern energy and a new vision for success. The word ‘catalyst’ reflects our drive to accelerate innovation and energy and amplify the impact of this powerhouse portfolio. Together, we bring scale, expertise and broad appeal to customers across America,” Rosen said in a statement.
So while JCPenney is still closing some locations this year, it doesn’t necessarily spell disaster for the brand just yet. In fact, it’s busy trying clever tactics to drum up new business. Its 2024 campaign “Really Big Deal Reveals,” which aired during Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” programming, offered exclusive deals for viewers promoted by celebrity names such as Martha Stewart and Shaquille O’Neal.
Related: Macy’s Borrows From Amazon’s Playbook In Bid to Boost Online Sales
