PHILADELPHIA — J.C. Penney said 334 people will be out of work when it closes five of its Pennsylvania stores this year.

The chain is shuttering about 40 stores nationwide as it tries to improve its profitability.

Penney spokesman Sarah Holland said Thursday that stores in State College, York, Media, Chambersburg and Hummels Warf will close. Most of the stores will close by April 4. The largest of the stores, at the Granite Run Mall in Media, employs 110.

The Plano, Texas, company currently runs about 1,060 stores.

The retailer said Thursday that a total of 2,250 jobs around the nation will be eliminated.

NEW YORK — Macy's plans to restructure its merchandising and marketing operations in response to changes in the way customers shop in stores and online.It says it's even contemplating an off-price business that would be similar to a TJ Maxx.The retailer said Thursday it also will close 14 department stores but open two new locations, resulting in annual savings of roughly $140 million. Macy's says it plans to reinvest those savings into its business.It says its overall workforce of about 175,000 will remain level as it lays off about 2,200 workers nationwide but picks up staffing in other areas. For example, Macy's is expected to expand its San Francisco online division by hiring more than 150 workers.

SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden Gate Bridge will shut down to private vehicles for 52 hours starting at midnight Friday so workers can install a movable median barrier designed to prevent head-on collisions, part of an effort to increase safety along the iconic structure.Transit buses, emergency vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists will be able to cross the bridge while the barrier is being installed, the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District announced. The bridge is scheduled to reopen to all traffic at 4 a.m. Monday.“The board of directors had been looking for a long time to find a way to prevent head-on collisions and enhance safety, but we didn’t have the money, and the technology didn’t exist,” said Golden Gate Bridge spokesman Priya David Clemens.