India, April 6 -- JCPenney will close hundreds of its locations in a planned retail slowdown in coming few weeks. The massive discount retailer, which recently announced that it will be closing numerous outlets in eight states, will take part in a "shopping blackout" this Easter, closing its all 656 stores for 24 hours.

In order to give their staff more time to be with their families, more than a dozen well-known firms have chosen to close their stores on April 20. Although customers should confirm the holiday hours with their local stores, major retailers such as Aldi, Costco, Khol's, Macy's, and JCPenney will be closed on this day.

Customers were taken aback when JCPenney announced that it will be closing its locations in eight states...