Headline RoundupSeptember 27th, 2023

Target Closing 9 Stores Over Crime Concerns

Summary from the 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."

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