These Beloved Mall Stores Just Closed Hundreds of Locations

You aren't the only one in danger of coronavirus; the potentially deadly disease is killing off businesses, too. As reopenings lead to a record rise in cases, many shops remain shuttered or offer limited service. Here are a few mall staples that everyone knows—but they are closing up to hundreds of locations due to the fallout.

"The world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry says it will not reopen at least 150 of its North America stores that were temporarily shuttered in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic," reports USA Today. "Signet Jewelers, which operates 3,172 stores globally primarily under the name brands of Kay Jewelers, Zales, Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry and Piercing Pagoda, also plans to close an additional 150 stores by the end of its fiscal year, which ends in February 2021."

"Zara owner Inditex said it will close 1,000 to 1,200 stores over the next two years, at a pace of 500 to 600 each year," according to Retail Dive. "The optimization plan focuses on stores at the end of their useful life, especially young concepts whose sales can be recovered in nearby stores and online," the company said.

"JCPenney will close another 13 stores for good," reports CNN. "The department store chain, which filed for bankruptcy last month, is inching toward its target of closing 250 stores—about 30% of its network of 846 locations. The company previously said it expects 200 of those closures will happen by the end of this summer, with the remaining 50 closing by next summer."

"Vitamin and dietary supplement company GNC is the latest casualty of the coronavirus pandemic. The corporation is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and has announced plans to close roughly 20 percent of its stores," reports Our Community Now. The company says the bankruptcy will give it the "opportunity to improve our balance sheet while continuing to advance our business strategy, right-size our corporate store portfolio, and strengthen our brands to protect the long-term sustainability of our company." 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

"All those Chuck E. Cheese tokens and tickets you've been hoarding are still good for now, but you might not have a local Chuck E. Cheese where you can use them anymore," reports USA Today. "CEC Entertainment, the parent company of the entertainment-and-pizza venue geared toward kids, plans to permanently close about 34 locations that were still open when the coronavirus pandemic began. The company, which owns the Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza chains, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late Wednesday."

"Gap Inc. is shutting down a direct-to-consumer men's performance activewear brand it launched in fall 2018," reports Chain Store Age. "The apparel retailer said that it plans to wind down operations of Hill City during the course of the year. However, it will still be restocking its best styles and dropping new ones until that time."  

"We are living in unprecedented times with unprecedented consequences," said Noah Palmer, head of Hill City. "I am so proud of the Hill City team and what we accomplished in such a short time." 

As for yourself:  to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these Things You Should Never Do During the Coronavirus Pandemic.