Target cites violence and theft as reasons to shut down nine stores

Retailer Target is shuttering nine of its locations across four major cities, which have been hot spots for rising crime and retail theft.

The locations will close their doors on Oct. 21, with Target citing “organized retail crime” threatening the safety of its employees and customers as part of the reason for closing. Of the locations, one is in New York City, three are in San Francisco, three are in Portland, and two are in Seattle.

FACULTY FREE SPEECH UNDER SCRUTINY WITH EROSION OF ACADEMIC TENURE

“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 said in a news release. “We know that our stores serve an important role in their communities, but we can only be successful if the working and shopping environment is safe for all.”

Target CEO Brian Cornell cited a growth in retail crime affecting his stores earlier this year and said he did not want to close any of them due to the jobs they provide. However, he added that Target would be “closely monitoring the safety of our team and guests.”

Retail theft hitting grocery stores and shopping outlets in major cities has been a growing trend over the last few years, with a Giant retailer in Washington, D.C., opting no longer to stock certain items, including Tide laundry detergent, Colgate products, and Advil products.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

In 2021, retailers nationwide sustained nearly $100 billion worth of losses, the highest year on record, according to a National Retail Federation report published in September last year. These retail crimes are perpetrated by people who work as part of a crime ring run by cartels, which have gone from illicit drug manufacturing and smuggling, human smuggling and trafficking, and illegal firearm smuggling to commandeering crime in the retail environment.

Earlier this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) showcased a $267 million investment to help officials in combating organized retail theft in the state. The recommended funding will be voted on by the Board of State and Community Corrections on Wednesday and will be distributed to agencies on Oct. 1.