Two Targets to close in Seattle due to retail theft

[jabogitlu]

Yup. We have very strong drug and theft gangs here. Absolutely, no question. That is going to push our local governments back to center (with candidates like Woo and Hollingsworth hopefully being elected). Not sure how much control city or even county councils can have over this issue though. We need more state and federal attention on the issue of fentanyl and its intersection with theft/crime. And at the very least, the State of WA needs to have the power to take over prosecution when City of Seattle and King County can't figure out how to play together to make meaningful changes.

[Transmition]

Originally Posted by Mathguy

Ok, but if this is just on-line commerce then why are the closings clustering in many of the same places?

Because city stores rely on foot traffic and foot traffic has been lower since the pandemic enabled WFH.
The question is how so many stores remain open in areas with much higher crime while these ones close. Kind of implies that crime isn't the issue. Sounds a lot better to investors though than admitting that you failed, just blame outside forces. Better yet, blame an issue that aligns with your business politics.

[87112]

I am in Albuquerque right now. One of America's poorest cities. As I type I am in close to the city core in a not prosperous area and I can touch the socks and underwear without the items behind barriers. Think about that Seattle people.

[JOinGA]

Originally Posted by 87112

I am in Albuquerque right now. One of America's poorest cities. As I type I am in close to the city core in a not prosperous area and I can touch the socks and underwear without the items behind barriers. Think about that Seattle people.

Maybe you should Google “Albuquerque” and “shoplifting” if you think you don’t have a problem. Articles specifically mention locked-up merchandise in your city. Albuquerque did not announce stepped up efforts to combat shoplifting if it was not happening.

[Hemlock140]

Both of those Target stores closing in Seattle are in areas heavy with apartments. Shoplifting is easier when you can walk away and into your home without having to walk across a parking lot to your car. If you go to the Target in Redmond, it's not near any residential at all, the nearest are apartments up Avondale. Still they have a problem, being so close to the freeway, for thieves with cars escaping. The Redmond Police seem more cooperative, you often see them parked near the entrance. I have noticed that at some stores in other cities there will be one or two parking spaces net to the handicap spaces with a sign "Police Parking Only."

[jabogitlu]

So is it urbanites or apartment dwellers that are more likely to be shoplifters? That's pretty classist, and a very strange and skewed suburban mindset. Probably better that you're out east.