Retail giant Target is set to close its East Harlem location, along with eight other stores across the country, due to theft and organized retail crime. The company reported a significant increase in theft incidents involving violence or threats of violence in their stores. Despite reporting better-than-expected profitability, Target CEO Brian Cornell cited safety incidents as a concern.
The company plans to open another outlet in Harlem, but many residents are disappointed by the closure of the East Harlem store, which has been a lifeline for the community, providing jobs and affordable goods. Some residents doubt the claim that theft is the sole reason for the closure, believing that it must be more than just theft for a big company like Target to shut down a store. Employees confirm that theft has been a daily problem, and the National Retail Federation reports that retail crime accounts for a significant amount of product loss. Target intends to open new stores in other areas, and employees will have the opportunity to transfer to these locations.
