Target executive: Organized retail crime surging, forcing store closures
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Former Target executive Gerald Storch says theft and organized retail crime are threatening safety and business performance, causing Target to close stores.
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Storch says the internet and social media are accelerating organized retail theft by helping gangs coordinate and creating a marketplace to quickly fence stolen goods.
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Sophisticated criminal operations with layers of distribution make it hard to pin down the source of stolen merchandise.
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Recent looting incidents in Philadelphia and nationwide show the scale of the problem facing retailers.
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Storch argues going after organized crime rings nationally is key, since the profit potential drives criminals to continue stealing.