J.C. Penney to shutter Lakeland warehouse

As part of its plan to whittle down its portfolio of stores nationwide, department store operator J.C. Penney Co. also plans to vacate a Lakeland distribution center it has occupied for more than 25 years.

The Plano, Texas-based retailer says supply chain operations will be shifted from 6800 State Road 33 N., in Lakeland, to Atlanta by the end of June.

Joey Thomas, a J.C. Penney spokesman, says Atlanta will be one of 13 remaining U.S. supply chain centers operated by the company going forward.