Department store chain JCPenney has reopened 11 of its Ohio stores, US, days after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The US company was forced to close its stores due the coronavirus pandemic along with other non-essential stores earlier this year.
In total 153 shops have reopened nationwide with more stores in Florida and Texas returning to normal this week.
“We are thrilled to welcome associates and customers back to JCPenney stores in Ohio, and our top priority remains on the health and safety of our associates, customers and communities,” said Jim DePaul, JCPenney’s Executive Vice President.
“We want to ensure everyone is safe and feels comfortable as we continue to provide an engaging shopping experience.
“We’re taking a strategic approach in reopening our stores nationwide and will continue doing so in a phased approach based on guidance from the CDC and local, and state mandates.”
The retailer has said it hopes to strengthen its position in the long term and has entered a restructuring support agreement with lenders, which is expected to reduce billions of dollars worth of debt and support the chain through the outbreak.
However, hundreds of stores will close across the US in the coming weeks.