Target to close stores because of rampant theft: Crooks ‘threatening safety’ of workers, shoppers.
Big box retailer Target said it will close nine stores nationwide, including three in the San Francisco Bay Area, because of organized retail theft, the Minneapolis-based company announced Tuesday.
The affected California stores are located in San Francisco, Oakland, and Pittsburg, a community in Eastern Contra Costa County in the Bay Area.
“In this case, 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,” the company stated. “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.”
The other stores were located in New York City, Portland, and Seattle, all cities that have seen crime rates soar with local governments struggling to confront organized retail theft.
Target is one of the many major U.S. retailers that said they have been experiencing “shrink,” the industry term for theft, at stores nationally.
“Before making this decision, we invested heavily in strategies to prevent and stop theft and organized retail crime in our stores, such as adding more security team members, using third-party guard services, and implementing theft-deterrent tools across our business,” the company added. “Despite our efforts, unfortunately, we continue to face fundamental challenges to operating these stores safely and successfully.”
Here are where the Target stores will close:
San Francisco/Oakland Market:
- San Francisco: Folsom and 13th St: 1690 Folsom St
- Oakland: Broadway & 27th: 2650 Broadway
- Pittsburg: 4301 Century Blvd
New York City Market:
- Harlem: 517 E 117th Street
Seattle Market:
- Seattle University Way: 4535 University Way NE
- Seattle Ballard: 1448 NW Market St, Ste 100
Portland Market:
- Portland Galleria: 939 SW Morrison St
- Portland Powell: 3031 SE Powell Blvd
- Portland Hollywood: 4030 NE Halsey St
