Target’s announcement to shutter nine stores in four states—New York, California, Washington, and Oregon—marks a stark escalation in the retail sector’s battle against organized theft. Effective October 21, 2023, the
closures affect urban hotspots like East Harlem (NYC), the San Francisco Bay Area (three sites), Seattle (two), and Portland (three), where theft incidents have surged despite robust countermeasures.
The retailer cited “unsustainable” losses from sophisticated crime rings, which not only erode profits—projected at over $500 million in shrink for 2023 alone—but also imperil employee and customer safety. Despite pouring resources into AI-driven surveillance, locked merchandise cases, third-party guards, and de-escalation training, these stores proved untenable. Target stressed the move as a final option, prioritizing human welfare over persistence.
