Target Announces Closure of Nine Stores Due to Increased Violent Crime and Shoplifting

Target announced the closure of nine stores across four states due to concerns of increasing theft and organized retail crime. This decision impacts stores in East Harlem, New York, San Francisco, Portland, Oregon, and Seattle.

The company emphasizes its ongoing commitment to maintaining safe environments for its workers and customers.

Effective from October 21st, these stores will close their doors, though Target is quick to point out that it will still have a combined 150 stores operational in these affected markets.

Affected workers will have the option to transfer to other store locations. Describing the decision as “difficult”, Target conveyed in a statement, “We understand the pivotal role our stores play within their communities, but our prime objective is to ensure a safe shopping and working environment for all.”

Before arriving at this difficult choice, Target mentioned its substantial investment in anti-theft strategies, such as enhanced security staffing, collaboration with third-party guard services, and the addition of theft-deterrent equipment, like the locking of certain merchandise.

🚨BREAKING: Target to close nine stores in major cities, citing “violence and theft” pic.twitter.com/dSfpKmfva3

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 26, 2023

Store leaders and security teams were also given specialized training to handle and defuse potential security threats. Despite these concerted efforts, Target pointed to “fundamental challenges” in ensuring safe operations at these locations, with the business performance deemed unsustainable.

This decision, while affecting only a small fraction of Target’s nearly 1,900 nationwide stores, is emblematic of a larger issue confronting retailers. Businesses like Target are juggling the need to offer services, especially to underserved communities, while also ensuring the safety of both staff and shoppers.

For context, the East Harlem Target, situated in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood, offered residents limited alternatives for quality, healthy foods.

In San Francisco, a closing store is nestled under a busy overpass frequented by homeless encampments, while in Seattle, another store lies near the bustling University of Washington.

Over the past year, Target CEO Brian Cornell and other retail leaders have raised alarms about escalating thefts.

Despite his earlier resistance to closing stores, Cornell acknowledged in May that theft was significantly impacting Target’s profits, predicting a potential loss of up to $1.2 billion this fiscal year.

Disturbingly, violent incidents against Target employees surged by 120% in the year’s first five months, compared to the same span the prior year. Cornell remarked, “Our team is contending with an unacceptable level of retail theft and organized retail crime.”

These store closures also follow some backlash Target received over its displays supporting LGBTQ+ and Pride Month. Some customers had reportedly confronted employees and vandalized displays, prompting Target to remove certain items to ensure worker safety.

While the exact financial impact of organized retail crime remains uncertain, the issue has undoubtedly gained significant attention in light of high-profile theft incidents.

Target just closed 9 stores in major cities today. Got a feeling that number is about to go up.

These areas are war zones that can be activated at any time, for any reason.

Cops who did their job tonight will probably will lose their jobs next week. pic.twitter.com/FQxxUluJj1

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) September 27, 2023

Retail giants like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Ulta Beauty have cited theft as a factor in diminishing profits. According to the National Retail Federation, inventory losses, or “shrink”, totaled an estimated $112.1 billion last year, marking an increase from the prior year.

Notably, 65% of this loss resulted from external theft.

While retailers are ramping up their loss-prevention strategies, sometimes more aggressive measures are required.

The Federation revealed that 30% of retailers reported having to shutter specific store locations, 45% reduced operating hours, and another 30% had to modify or lessen product offerings due to crime.

In response to these growing concerns, Congress enacted the INFORM ACT last year, aimed at curbing the sale of counterfeit goods.

Moreover, Target revealed its robust investment in cyber defenses against retail theft and fraud, partnering with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations division to further address the issue.

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