Target’s decision to close nine of its stores in major cities, citing persistent large-scale theft at those locations, is the latest signal that retailers may be struggling in their battle to contain a growing and dangerous problem.
Retail theft isn’t really increasing or that high. This is the excuse companies give to close stores in underserved (poor) areas do they can focus on opening stores where they can make more money.
It’s not necessarily the amount of theft taking place that most concerns the industry, but rather the increased violence associated with it.
Sixty-seven percent of respondents reported more violence associated with organized retail crime than a year ago. In the last survey, 81% reported an increase in violence.
Meanwhile, 45% of retailers in the survey said they have reduced specific store hours to deal with crime and violence, nearly 30% said they somehow changed store product selection, and 28% reported closing a specific location because of crime.
Retail theft isn’t really increasing or that high. This is the excuse companies give to close stores in underserved (poor) areas do they can focus on opening stores where they can make more money.
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/26/organized-retail-crime-and-theft-not-increasing-much-nrf-study-finds.html
They get videos of a flashy theft and then blast them across the Internet & TV.
It’s especially telling since in the OP article they even say they’re not going to give data to actually back up their claims.
From your source: