JCPenney to Close Asheville Store Amid Retail Sector Struggles

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — JCPenney has confirmed it will close its sole store at the Asheville Mall by May 25, 2025, marking another significant loss for the local retail landscape.

The announcement was made via email, with the company’s media relations stating, “The decision to close a store is never an easy one. We are grateful to our dedicated associates and the loyal customers who have shopped at our Asheville location.” The store is located at 3 S. Tunnel Rd.

This closure adds to the challenges faced by the Asheville Mall, which has seen numerous retail shifts in recent years. In 2017, the area’s Sears store, a fixture for 46 years, also closed, following the company’s decision to sell 265 of its stores nationwide.

Subsequent plans to redevelop the Sears property into a mix of retail and residential units were delayed over the years. However, city officials confirmed in 2023 that plans for 200 residential units were still in progress, although the latest details for 2025 remain uncertain.

JCPenney’s decision is part of a broader trend affecting the retail sector, as the company prepares to shut down several stores across the nation in 2025. Confirmed closures include another eight locations out of approximately 650 nationwide, underscoring the ongoing challenges retailers face amid evolving consumer behaviors and competition from e-commerce.

According to Coresight Research, the number of U.S. stores is projected to drop to 7,325 in 2025 from 7,880 last year. At the same time, new store openings are expected to decline from 5,970 to 5,800.

Retailers across the board are struggling with market conditions, often referred to as a “retail apocalypse,” impacting many traditional brick-and-mortar businesses. Notable names in the industry have announced consolidations and closures due to declining sales and increased online shopping trends.

In a statement following the release of its third-quarter results, JCPenney’s CEO Marc Rosen expressed optimism about the company’s recent merger with Sparc, stating, “We will leverage our resources and best-in-class industry talent to grow our brands further.” However, the company has seen its store locations shrink significantly from about 850 in 2020.

As the market evolves, JCPenney remains committed to adjusting its strategy to remain competitive, but the closure of its Asheville location serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing physical retail in the current economy.