The coronavirus pandemic has pushed the storied but troubled department store chain J.C. Penney into Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It is the fourth major retailer to meet that fate.

"The coronavirus pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for our families, our loved ones, our communities, and our country," said Penney’s CEO Jill Soltau in a statement. "As a result, the American retail industry has experienced a profoundly different new reality, requiring J.C. Penney to make difficult decisions in running our business to protect the safety of our associates and customers and the future of our company."

Penney is the biggest retailer to file for bankruptcy reorganisation since the pandemic and joins luxury department store chain Neiman Marcus, J.Crew and Stage Stores.

Read the full AP story here.