No Mayor - you cannot control privately owned businesses - if they want to leave, they can.

[Oompa Loompa]

'reports of [rampant shoplifting] have been greatly exagerrated"

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https://www.seattletimes.com/business/kroger-to-close-2-more-seattle-area-fred-meyer-stores/

Target to close 2 stores in Seattle, citing theft that threatens workers, shoppers

Target will close nine stores in four states, saying that theft and organized retail crime have threatened the safety of its workers and customers.

www.kiro7.com

So is the the stores or the news companies that are exaggerating?

 

[Fervent]

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https://www.seattletimes.com/business/kroger-to-close-2-more-seattle-area-fred-meyer-stores/

Target to close 2 stores in Seattle, citing theft that threatens workers, shoppers

Target will close nine stores in four states, saying that theft and organized retail crime have threatened the safety of its workers and customers.

www.kiro7.com

So is the the stores or the news companies that are exaggerating?

And how does this compare to typical big cities, crime wise? Why do you suppose Seattle is different in this regard?

 

[Oompa Loompa]

And how does this compare to typical big cities, crime wise? Why do you suppose Seattle is different in this regard?

The problem is similar in other large U.S. cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, and San Francisco. The common denominator is progressive leadership.

 

[Fervent]

The problem is similar in other large U.S. cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, and San Francisco. The common denominator is progressive leadership.

So petty crime isn't a problem in conservatively led cities? They're crimeless utopias?

 

[Always in His Presence]

It has been happening for years:​

As Walmart shuts down four stores in crime-ridden Dem-led Chicago, DailyMail.com lists all the big box shops - from Macy's to Target - which have closed due to millions in losses from rampant theft​

Major retailers in the US have been forced to shut down stores due to millions of dollars in losses as rampant theft plagues big box stores across the country.​

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This week, Walmart announced it will shut down four of its stores in Chicago just weeks after America's biggest employer shuttered its only stores in Portland.​

​

It comes as shoplifting reaches alarming levels and other large retailers, including Target, Macy's and Best Buy, are now making good on threats to shutter outlets if petty crime was not lowered.​

​

Grok does a great job​

​

City	Stores Affected	Year	Details
San Francisco, CA	Whole Foods (Haight-Ashbury), Target (multiple Bay Area), Nordstrom, Walgreens (multiple)	2023–2025	Whole Foods closed in 2023 due to rampant theft and an overdose death in the store; Target shuttered four locations in 2023 amid organized crime and violence; Nordstrom and Walgreens cited burglaries and safety risks, with 12 Walgreens closures by 2024.
Portland, OR	Target (three stores), Walmart	2023	Target closed three stores in 2023, blaming theft and violence that threatened staff safety; Walmart reduced operations due to spiraling crime, including murders at all-time highs in 2022.
Seattle, WA	Target (two stores), Nordstrom	2023–2024	Target closed two stores in 2023 over organized retail crime; Nordstrom shuttered its flagship in 2024 citing theft and aggression, following 2020 looting damage.
New York, NY	Target (East Harlem), Macy's	2023	Target closed its Harlem store in 2023 due to theft and violence; Macy's faced $10,000+ loots in 2022–2023, contributing to urban pullbacks amid rising shoplifting complaints.
Chicago, IL	Walmart (four stores), Target, Whole Foods (Englewood)	2023	Walmart closed four stores in 2023 after tens of millions in theft losses; Whole Foods shut in 2023 due to lack of demand tied to crime; Target and others cited 25% theft rise.
Philadelphia, PA	Target, Macy's, Wawa	2022–2023	Multiple lootings in 2022–2023, including Macy's security guard stabbing; Target closed stores in 2023 amid waves of smash-and-grabs; Wawa looted repeatedly.
Los Angeles, CA	Target, Walmart, Nordstrom	2023–2025	Target and Walmart closed amid 2023 theft surges; Nordstrom cited crime in 2024; 2025 protests escalated to looting, accelerating exits in high-crime areas.
Oakland, CA	Target, REI	2023	Target closed in 2023 after 76% burglary rise; REI shuttered due to theft and violence; nearby stores saw 440+ incidents despite closures.
Baltimore, MD	Target	2023	Closed in 2023 after 10 years, citing theft in poverty-stricken areas; part of broader urban exodus.
Atlanta, GA	Walmart, Target	2023	Walmart closed a store in 2023 due to theft; Target followed suit amid organized crime.

These closures impacted urban "food deserts," exacerbating access issues, with over 150 Target stores affected nationwide by crime in 2023 alone. Retailers like Walmart warned of further shutdowns if prosecution remains lenient. By 2025, trends continued with Walgreens planning 500 closures, though not all tied directly to violence. No widespread new looting events were reported in late 2025, but organized theft persists.

​