Retail giant Target announced on Tuesday that it will ax a total of nine stores in four states including three Bay Area stores following a “theft and organized retail crime” that threatened the safety of its employees and customers and hurt its business performance.

Target to Shut Down 3 Bay Area Stores and 6 Other Locations Due to Theft and Safety Concerns. (Photo: Forbes)

Ceased Operation Of Bay Area Stores And More

In totality, there are approximately 2,000 Target stores in the U.S. According to Target, the Bay Area stores that will be shut down include the San Francisco location at Folsom and 13th streets; its Oakland store located at Broadway and 27th Street; and its store on Pittsburg on Century Boulevard. Aside from these Bay Area stores, six more from the other states will be part of the scale-down including one in New York City’s East Harlem neighborhood, three stores in Portland, Oregon, and two in Seattle.

Target added that although it will be cutting down its Bay Area stores and other locations, there are still a combined 150 stores available in the markets where the forthcoming closures will occur. The retail giant also assured that the affected workers will be given an opportunity to be relocated to other stores.

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Measures After Closing Bay Area Stores And More

As per Target, the closing of Bay Area stores as well as the others will take effect starting October 21. As part of its measures, Target stated readiness to strictly impose strategies to combat theft, such as adding more security workers, utilizing third-party guard services, and installing theft-deterrent tools, like locking up merchandise. Further, it will also train store leaders and security team members to protect themselves and lessen potential safety concerns.

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