Target Closing Multiple Locations Over Ongoing 'Safety' Issues
Shopping carts sit outside of a Target store on August 16, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.
This week, Target announced the "difficult" decision to close the doors of multiple store locations following ongoing "safety" concerns.
Effective Oct. 21, the retail giant will be closing nine stores nationwide as the result of "theft and organized retail crime," which the company believes is "threatening the safety of our team and guests," while also "contributing to unsustainable business performance."
"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," Target said in a statement on Tuesday.
The company claims to have already taken drastic measures in an attempt to prevent theft and organized crime throughout stores, including adding more security team members, using third-party guard services and implementing "theft-deterrent tools."
However, the brand insisted, "Despite our efforts, unfortunately, we continue to face fundamental challenges to operating these stores safely and successfully."
As a result, stores in four different states will be closing at the end of next month. The affected locations include one store in East Harlem, New York, two in Seattle, Washington, three in Portland, Oregon and three in the San Francisco Bay Area in California.
The company assures that eligible team members will be given the opportunity to transfer to other Target locations.
For those who usually shop at the affected locations, the company remains "committed to serving these guests" at more than 150 open locations in the markets where the closures are taking place. Plus, guests are also offered an "always-open" shopping experience at Target.com.
