WHEELING — Neither the J.C. Penney at The Highlands in Triadelphia, nor the store at the Fort Steuben Mall in Steubenville, are on the list of 138 outlets the retailer announced plans to close this morning.

Last month, officials with the Plano, Texas-based company announced they would close up to 140 stores in an effort to return to profitability. As with other retailers who are closing stores, J.C. Penney cites changing shopping patterns related to more people buying merchandise via the internet.

The store nearest to the Upper Ohio Valley on the list slated to close is at the New Towne Mall in New Philadelphia, Ohio.

“We believe closing stores will also allow us to adjust our business to effectively compete against the growing threat of online retailers,” J.C. Penney Chairman and CEO Marvin R. Ellison said. “Maintaining a large store base gives us a competitive advantage in the evolving retail landscape since our physical stores are a destination for personalized beauty offerings, a broad array of special sizes, affordable private brands and quality home goods and services.”

J.C. Penney’s decision to not close local stores differs from that of other major retailers in recent months. Both Kmart and Elder-Beerman will vacate the Ohio Valley Mall within days, while Macy’s is closing its stores in Steubenville and at the Washington Crown Center in Washington, Pa.