AFTER the loss of two major stores a city’s popular Target location falls victim to at least 10 thefts a day.
Workers at the store located in Downtown San Francisco said they’ve had to deal with a rise in retail crime.
“Every 10 minutes you see it,” a worker told The San Francisco Standard.
“Look in some corner of the store, and you’ll see people shoveling stuff into a bag – food, cosmetics.”
The theft comes after San Francisco lost two nearby Nordstrom stores that closed down due to “unsafe conditions.”
Meanwhile, the Whole Foods store at Market and Eighth streets is also shutting down.
Products inside the Target store at the Metreon, a mall near San Francisco‘s Union Square, are locked behind barriers including shampoo, deodorant, and toothbrushes.
Security guards wearing bright yellow vests could be seen patrolling around the store, reported the outlet.
Another worker, who wanted to remain anonymous, said that items such as lipstick and nail polish are routinely stolen in handfuls as they aren’t locked behind the barriers.
“They were stocked this morning, and now they’re empty,” the worker said.
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According to another worker, food and diapers are also stolen on a regular basis.
A Target spokesperson told the outlet that retail crime has become an urgent issue that is impacting the team along with other retailers.
“It’s an issue that affects all of us, limiting product availability, creating a less convenient shopping experience, and most importantly, putting our team and guests in harm’s way,” the spokesperson said.
Target executives are reportedly working with lawmakers, police, and retail industry experts to push for public policy solutions to fight retail crime.
“It’s sad seeing it, that someone has to steal diapers for their kid,” a worker said.
The worker said they often see people who seem to be homeless taking food, especially cereal, and eating it inside the store.
Another worker said they see candy bar wrappers, empty soda cans, and liquor bottles around the store up to five times a day.
“I understand; they need to eat,” said the worker.
Other items that are commonly stolen are clothes and aluminum foil, which a worker claimed s taken by people who use it to smoke fentanyl.
Over-the-counter emergency contraception is also regularly stolen, said another worker.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Target for comment.
https://www.the-sun.com/news/8084798/san-francisco-target-multiple-thefts-company-cracking-down/