NJ Store Closing, Retailer Cutbacks, 300 Jobs Lost Soon: Where?

Two retailers are cutting back, and more than 300 people will lose their jobs very soon, according to New Jersey officials.

JCPenney confirmed that it will be closing its store located at the Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing on July 5, and 81 jobs will be lost by that date.

Ethan Allen also is closing its Passaic distribution center and 55 jobs will be gone by June 15, according to the state Department of Labor.

Here's who's also cutting back:

• Clover Health, Jersey City, 64 jobs (May 28)
• Eurest Services Inc/Compass Group USA, Dayton 66 (June 1)
• Exelon Generation, Forked River, 65 jobs (June 30)

The announcements come after several chains said they were closing shop. Several have announced closings at major retailers throughout the state. Read more: Major Chains Announce Dozens Of NJ Store Closings In 2019

Victoria's Secret announced recently that it will shutter 53 underperforming stores in North America this year. Read more: Victoria's Secret To Close Dozens Of Stores

The decision comes as a result "of an ongoing review of our store portfolio, which includes assessing locations that may not meet our required financial targets or represent an opportunity to capitalize on a beneficial real estate asset," said Carter English, a spokesman for JCPenney.

"It’s never easy taking actions that directly impact our valued (employees) and customers," he said. "However, we feel this is a necessary business decision."

Employees who do not transfer to another JCPenney location will receive separation benefits, and all those impacted may participate in a three-hour on-site career training class, English said. The class offers tips on resume writing, answering interview questions and more.

JCPenney has 12 stores in New Jersey, but no others are being closed.

JCPenney has determined that it will close 18 full-line stores in 2019, including three locations previously announced in January. In addition, the company will also close nine ancillary home and furniture stores, enabling capital resources to be reallocated to locations and initiatives "that offer the greatest long-term value potential."

“For the past few months, I have met with and listened to JCPenney associates throughout the organization, as well as our valued suppliers, customers and other partners, to gain their candid perspectives on our Company, both positive and constructive. Based on everything I have seen and heard, I am even more convinced that JCPenney is a revered brand that has the capacity to deliver improved results. In spite of our past financial performance, we have already taken meaningful steps to drive improvement in key businesses such as women’s apparel, active apparel, special sized apparel and fine jewelry,” Jill Soltau, chief executive officer of JCPenney, said in a statement.

Victoria's Secret, meanwhile, reported disappointing holiday season sales and "given the decline in performance at Victoria's Secret, we have substantially pulled back on capital investment in that business versus our history,'' the company said in a statement.

The company has stores in 27 New Jersey communities including:

• Atlantic City
• Bridgewater
• Cherry Hill
• Deptford
• East Brunswick
• Eatontown
• Edgewater
• Edison
• Elizabeth
• Freehold
• Jersey City
• Lawrenceville
• Livingston
• Marlton
• Mays Landing
• Moorestown
• Paramus
• Phillipsburg
• Rockaway
• Sea Girt
• Short Hills
• Shrewsbury
• Toms River
• Vineland
• Wayne
• Woodbridge
• Woodcliff Lake