Target To Shut Down 9 Non-Viable, Unsafe Stores

Target has announced that it will close nine stores in four states, including one in New York City's East Harlem neighborhood and three in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The company pledged to provide affected employees with opportunities to transfer to other stores. I Photo: Mike Mozart Flickr

The decision, driven by concerns over theft and organized retail crime posing threats to the safety of its workers and customers, was reported by Anne D'Innocenzio for the Associated Press (AP).

These closures, set to take effect on October 21, will also affect three stores in Portland, Oregon, and two in Seattle.

Target emphasized that it will maintain a total of 150 stores open in the affected markets. The company pledged to provide affected employees with opportunities to transfer to other stores.

The Minneapolis-based retailer acknowledged that the decision to close these stores was a challenging one, noting that it operates 1,900 stores nationwide.

"We understand that our stores play a vital role in their communities, but our success depends on ensuring a safe working and shopping environment for everyone," Target stated in a press release.

The company has made significant investments in theft prevention strategies, such as increasing the number of security personnel, utilizing third-party security services, and implementing theft-deterrent measures like securing merchandise.

Additionally, Target has provided training to store leaders and security team members to enhance self-protection and the de-escalation of potential safety incidents.

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