Target announced on Tuesday that it will be closing nine stores across four major cities – New York City, Seattle, San Francisco, and Portland – due to rampant theft and organized retail crime.
The popular discount retailer said the dramatic measure was necessary because criminal activity had made it too risky to continue operating the locations.
“We cannot continue operating these stores because theft and organized retail crime are threatening the safety of our team and guests, and contributing to unsustainable business performance,” Target stated.
The affected stores, set to close on October 21, include the East Harlem location in New York City, two stores in Seattle, three in Portland, and three across San Francisco and Oakland.
Target is just the latest major chain to be impacted by the surge in retail theft and sophisticated shoplifting rings targeting stores around the country. Other prominent retailers like Walgreens and Walmart have also shuttered some locations due to unchecked crime.
The closures underscore the growing crisis facing the retail industry as organized crime exploits lax enforcement and rises in poverty and addiction. The stores Target is closing are largely located in underserved urban neighborhoods.
Their closure will eliminate essential grocery options and pharmacy services for many low-income residents. It will also lead to job losses right before the critical holiday season.
Retail groups have warned that theft, robberies, and vandalism are reaching crisis levels. They are calling for increased security and tougher penalties on repeat offenders. But police warn the root causes driving these crimes also need to be addressed.
The Target closings should serve as a wake-up call for officials and communities. Without meaningful solutions that increase safety and opportunity, more retailers may have no choice but to pull out of vulnerable areas. That could create new food deserts and pharmacy gaps that would further harm the very populations that need help.
