I live in Seattle, so I feel somewhat qualified to chime in. The article makes a good point that the Targets being closed here are the new smaller urban ones. The few times I have been in them, they are grossly understocked and give off a very unwelcoming feeling compared to the normal Targets like the one in Northgate.
Not to say that’s the reason for closing, because they are certainly in high crime areas that the article’s data fails to represent. Also worth noting that the Northgate one is at the top of a multi level mall structure so crime is much less likely to happen there despite it being a much worse area.
I live right by Portland and have visited the three stores that are closing there. Every target in this area is hit hard by theft because there are many unhoused people who need things, or addicted people who need things to sell, and word got out that target wasn’t going to let their security people touch anybody.
The three stores closing here are some of the hardest to drive to, so it’s no surprise to me that the average payment size would be smaller and result in way slimmer margins there.
This is also following all Walmarts in town closing, likely for theft as well, Nikes employee store downtown closing due to theft and employee unsafety, and countless local businesses packing up shop and moving to other areas or shutting their doors.
It’s a shame but it’s so common in the area that the news didn’t surprise me in the slightest.
That target used to be the closest one to me, and I NEVER went there. That store was awful in every way, I don’t doubt theft was bad, but I doubt that if theft went away it would have kept the store alive.
Not to say that’s the reason for closing, because they are certainly in high crime areas that the article’s data fails to represent. Also worth noting that the Northgate one is at the top of a multi level mall structure so crime is much less likely to happen there despite it being a much worse area.