Target closing Seattle stores despite crime data, surprising locals who question real motives

Target announced it is closing 2 Seattle stores due to safety concerns, but crime data doesn't show those stores as having the most police responses.
The closures surprised local residents and business leaders, who question if crime was the real reason for closing the profitable small format stores.
Target has previously closed small format stores due to performance rather than explicitly citing crime.
While theft is an issue, business leaders say decisions to close stores consider many factors beyond just crime statistics.
The closures eliminate convenient shopping options for neighborhoods like Ballard and impact Target workers who may need to transfer locations.

seattletimes.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/26/2023

Target Closing 9 Stores in Major Cities Due to Rampant Theft and Retail Crime

Target will close nine stores in major cities across the US due to violence, theft, and organized retail crime, citing the threat to the safety of its employees and customers as well as unsustainable business performance.

9/27/2023

Target Shutting Down East Harlem Store Due to Safety Concerns, Part of Broader Closures

Target is shutting down its store in East Harlem due to theft and crime, despite efforts by New York officers to protect the store and reduce incidents.

9/28/2023

Business Leaders Alarmed by Store Closures Caused by Surge in Retail Theft

Business leaders express alarm as Target announces the closure of nine stores due to large-scale theft, prompting concerns about the growing problem of organized retail crime.

9/29/2023

Target executive: Organized retail crime surging, forcing store closures

The former vice chairman of Target expressed his distress over the escalating theft and crime rates that have led the company to close stores in liberal cities due to concerns for public safety.

9/29/2023

Retail Theft Surges, Forcing Target and Other Major Retailers to Close Stores

The rise in theft and violence at major retailers like Target is not only impacting the companies themselves but also negatively affecting the communities they operate in, leading to store closures, job losses, and reduced tax revenue.

9/30/2023

Target Closing Stores in Major Cities Due to Rising Retail Theft and Safety Concerns, Says Former Best Buy CEO

Former Best Buy CEO Hubert Joly has commented on Target's mass store closures, highlighting that it is a reflection of rampant retail theft in our society and the tensions that companies need to address.

10/12/2023

Target Closes Stores in Major Cities as Theft, Loss of Customers, and Labor Shortages Take Toll

Target is closing nine stores in four metropolitan areas due to organized retail crime and other pressures from the Covid-19 pandemic, including the shift to remote work, the rise of e-commerce, and ongoing worker shortages.

Topics

Posted 9/28/2023, 2:48:05 AM

Target closing Seattle stores despite crime data, surprising locals who question real motives

Target announced it is closing 2 Seattle stores due to safety concerns, but crime data doesn't show those stores as having the most police responses.
The closures surprised local residents and business leaders, who question if crime was the real reason for closing the profitable small format stores.
Target has previously closed small format stores due to performance rather than explicitly citing crime.
While theft is an issue, business leaders say decisions to close stores consider many factors beyond just crime statistics.
The closures eliminate convenient shopping options for neighborhoods like Ballard and impact Target workers who may need to transfer locations.

seattletimes.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/26/2023

Target Closing 9 Stores in Major Cities Due to Rampant Theft and Retail Crime

9/27/2023

Target Shutting Down East Harlem Store Due to Safety Concerns, Part of Broader Closures

Target is shutting down its store in East Harlem due to theft and crime, despite efforts by New York officers to protect the store and reduce incidents.

9/28/2023

Business Leaders Alarmed by Store Closures Caused by Surge in Retail Theft

Business leaders express alarm as Target announces the closure of nine stores due to large-scale theft, prompting concerns about the growing problem of organized retail crime.

9/29/2023

Target executive: Organized retail crime surging, forcing store closures

The former vice chairman of Target expressed his distress over the escalating theft and crime rates that have led the company to close stores in liberal cities due to concerns for public safety.

9/29/2023

Retail Theft Surges, Forcing Target and Other Major Retailers to Close Stores

9/30/2023

Target Closing Stores in Major Cities Due to Rising Retail Theft and Safety Concerns, Says Former Best Buy CEO

10/12/2023

Target Closes Stores in Major Cities as Theft, Loss of Customers, and Labor Shortages Take Toll