Target Closing 9 Stores Over Crime Concerns
Summary from AllSides News Team
Target announced Tuesday that it's closing nine stores due to concerns about crime and safety.
The Details: Target stores in San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, and Portland, Oregon, will close effective Oct. 21 "because theft and organized retail crime are threatening the safety of our team and guests, and contributing to unsustainable business performance," according to a statement from the retailer.
For Context: Retail theft has led other companies like Nike and Walmart to shut down stores in big cities this year. Stores lost an estimated $86.6 billion to retail theft in 2022, and projections suggest that theft may cost retailers over $115 billion by 2025, according to Capital One.
How the Media Covered It: Right-rated sources often highlighted how the closures are happening in Democrat-run cities, and framed it as a result of soft-on-crime policies in those areas. Left-rated sources didn't mention that connection. CNN Business (Lean Left bias) highlighted "skeptics" who say "say stores have not provided enough information to back up their claims" of overwhelming theft, and reported that "as economic fears grow amid inflation and rising borrowing costs, shoplifting often comes with the territory." Daily Caller (Right bias) also mentioned how "Target came under fire in May for its 'PRIDE' collection, which resulted in the company’s market value plunging $9 billion in one week at the time."
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Center
Target says it will close nine stores in major cities, citing violence and theft
Target said Tuesday that it will close nine stores in major cities across the country, citing violence, theft and organized retail crime.
The company will close one store in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood, two locations in Seattle, three stores in the San Francisco-Oakland area and three more in Portland, Oregon. The discounter said it will shutter the stores for good on Oct. 21.
“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,”...
From the Right
Target Announces Store Closures In Blue Cities, Citing Theft And Concerns About ‘Guest Safety’
Target announced Tuesday that it is closing a number of its shops in blue cities, citing theft and violence concerns to its clientele and employees in those areas.
Target’s press release announced that nine of its stores in Portland, San Francisco/Oakland, Seattle, and New York City will be closing effective Oct. 21 due to organized theft and violence threatening employee and “guest safety.” Target stated that “all eligible team members will be offered the opportunity to transfer to other Target locations.”
Target also announced that they were continuing to make investments to...
From the Left
Target says it will close nine stores in major cities across four states because of theft and organized crime
Target is closing nine stores in major cities across four states, claiming theft and organized retail crime have made the environment unsafe for staff and customers – and unsustainable for business.
The big box chain is part of a wave of retailers – both large and small – that say they’re struggling to contain store crimes that have hurt their bottom lines. Many have closed stores or made changes to merchandise and layouts.
Nevertheless, skeptics say stores have not provided enough information to back up their claims, and at least...
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