Retailing giant J.C. Penney has announced plans to shutter 138 stores nationwide but will continue to operate all 11 of its South Florida stores. The company will close two Florida stores located in Jacksonville and Palatka as well as a distribution facility in Lakeland in Central Florida. The store closings, which will affect about 5,000 employees, are expected to cost the firm $225 million, most of which are associated with lease-termination expenses. Penney has five stores in Miami-Dade County, four in Broward County and two in Palm Beach County.
