Retail giant Target is finally cracking down on out-of-control shoplifting by allowing employees to intervene and stop thieves who stole at least $50 worth in goods.
Previously, the threshold to intervene was $100.
The new policy will go into effect this summer and follows complaints from management about surging rates of theft heavily impacting Target’s earnings in recent quarters.
Take a look:
— Meet Kevin😇 (@realMeetKevin) June 29, 2024
Target pushes shoplifting crackdown by telling employees to stop thefts worth at least $50 https://t.co/AsxTQjPYvy pic.twitter.com/aMWNuTzC3H
— New York Post (@nypost) June 27, 2024
Bloomberg broke the news:
Target Corp. is lowering the bar to stop shoplifters, taking a tougher approach to further curb store theft that has weighed on operations.
Store staff can now seek to halt incidents of theft worth at least $50, lower than the previous threshold of $100, people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be identified discussing private company policy. The new guideline is expected to be enforced this summer, they said.
The New York Post added:
Target plans to crack down on retail theft by lowering the threshold for how much shoplifters can swipe before employees are allowed to finally step in, according to a report.
The Minnesota-based big box retail chain — which has blamed retail theft for hurting its bottom line — instructed store staff to halt bandits who try to flee with items totaling $50, down from the previous sum of $100, Bloomberg News reported Thursday.
“Our priority remains ensuring the safety of the team and guests, while maintaining the positive experience Target shoppers expect,” a Target spokesperson told Bloomberg News.
The Post has sought comment from Target.
The new policy will reportedly take effect later this summer.
Last fall, Target’s chief financial officer, Michael Fiddelke, told investors that the company expects shoplifting to be a “significant financial headwind.”
He made the comment just weeks after Target, which owns and operates around 2,000 stores nationwide, closed nine urban locations, including those in San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Ore. and the Harlem section of New York City.
The Harlem location was a frequent target of organized retail theft.
“Growth in shrink remains a significant financial headwind and we’re determined to continue making progress in the years head,” Fiddelke said — using the industry term meant to connote loss of inventory due to shoplifting, vendor fraud and administrative error.
In recent years, retailers like Target have lost BILLIONS from so-called “progressive” policies on shoplifting.
Remember when stealing as little as $1 was wrong and counted as theft?
ZeroHedge has more on the effect allowing theft has had on businesses:
Target operates nearly 2,000 stores in the US and has warned investors countless times about damaging shrink—inventory loss due to theft, damage, and other factors—which has squeezed profit margins.
In March, Target Executive Vice President Michael Fiddelke said the company lost $500 million more in shrink in 2023 than in 2022.
The company expects shrink to a peak in 2024 as it works with policymakers and various cities to address out-of-control thefts.
Progressive lawmakers in states that ignored law and order only emboldened criminals to pillage retail stores as criminal and social justice reforms backfired. California decriminalizing thefts under $950 has been one of the biggest policy failures.
The National Retail Federation has previously stated that shrink accounted for $112.1 billion in losses in 2022, up from $93.9 billion in 2021. Failed progressive policies have sparked unprecedented levels of theft.
And here are some examples of what allowing theft looks like in practice:
Woman brags about shoplifting from Target and suggests that store price tags aren't mandatory.
This is new normal in Biden's
America. The normalizing crime is a part of their culture.
pic.twitter.com/fCvFRqI6x9— Frankie™️🦅 (@B7frankH) May 3, 2024
BREAKING: Target has officially shut down all self-checkout registers after years of rampant shoplifting in Emeryville, California pic.twitter.com/QDUchgb8T6
— BAY AREA STATE OF MIND (@YayAreaNews) May 21, 2024
This is a @Target store in San Francisco, like Britain shoplifting is out of control. This is how they have tried to deal with it, appalling.
"A zero trust society" the narrator says.
My local supermarket has security tags on more expensive items such as coffee & spirits. pic.twitter.com/YLw2ELqzmw
— David Atherton (@DaveAtherton20) May 21, 2024
RELATED REPORT:
Shoplifting Wave Drives Walmart, Target To Take Unprecedented Step — 40 Minute Wait Times For Underwear!
The Rising Tide of Shoplifting
In a significant effort to address the increasing problem of shoplifting, major retailers Walmart and Target have taken an unprecedented step by placing essential items such as underwear and socks under lock and key.
This move highlights the severity of theft issues affecting retailers across the country, with losses amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars.
In recent years, shoplifting has become a growing concern for retail giants, forcing them to implement new security measures such as locking up basic essential items.
Over the past few years, shoplifting incidents have been on the rise, causing significant financial losses for retailers.
According to the National Retail Federation, shoplifting accounted for $49.9 billion in losses in 2019 alone. This staggering amount has forced retailers to reevaluate their security measures and take action.
Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to pump $40M into war against shoplifting with more than half going to NY state police https://t.co/64tTS5EGBI pic.twitter.com/05zsaeFjY8
— New York Post (@nypost) January 16, 2024
Longer Wait Times Make Stores Feel Eerily Apocalyptic
While the locking up of essential items may deter shoplifters, it has also had an impact on consumers. Longer wait times for assistance at the cash register, as well as the inconvenience of having to ask store employees for assistance in unlocking items, has led to frustration among shoppers.
This frustration has led to a decline in customer satisfaction and could potentially drive customers to seek out alternative shopping options.
Woman gets detained for shoplifting at Walmart… pic.twitter.com/nXxxEU59vD
— TX StreetFights (@TheodoreAr64261) January 14, 2024
Law Enforcement’s Forced Involvement Means More Wasted Tax Dollars
The increase in shoplifting incidents can be attributed to various factors, including the rise in organized retail crime and the influence of social media on encouraging such behavior. Additionally, some argue that the lack of consequences for shoplifters has contributed to the problem.
The decision to secure everyday commodities like underwear has surprised consumers, especially in California’s Bay Area where the measure has been prominently implemented. Local officials like Richmond City Council member Cesar Cepeda have expressed concerns that these measures could potentially lead to higher costs, longer wait times, and traveling longer distances for residents to get their basic needs.
The National Retail Federation has reported a rise in organized theft, with seven out of ten retailers experiencing an increase in recent years. This trend has prompted a call for stricter legislation against those profiting from retail crime.
This bold move by Walmart and Target underscores the significant impact of shoplifting on retailers and the measures being taken to address this issue.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and His Response to the Retail Theft Crisis
California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken action in response to the crisis of retail theft and auto burglaries by proposing new laws aimed at expanding criminal penalties for those involved in these crimes. He began new legislation and an organized retail crime task force in 2022 to combat shoplifting.
This legislative push reflects the urgency felt by businesses and lawmakers alike to address the increasing losses and safeguard the future of the retail industry.
As we head into the holiday season, @CHP_HQ is ramping up its presence at shopping locations across California with saturated patrols as part of our effort to combat organized retail theft.https://t.co/rc9tPlsj0o
— California Governor (@CAgovernor) November 22, 2022
Governor Newsom’s proposed laws and the actions taken by retailers underscore the severity of the crisis and the need for immediate measures to address it.
The frustration experienced by customers facing delays of up to 40 minutes to access basic items is a testament to the gravity of the situation. Underwear locked up, what’s next?
Perhaps it’s time to break up with these companies?
But what other options are there?
You know I’ve got you covered!
How about this….
How about shopping from a company that actually likes you!
Where everything just gets delivered right to your door…no driving to the store, fighting for a parking spot, standing in long lines, dealing with rude employees….and nothing is placed behind glass doors with lock and key!
By a company that has a 40-year track record of doing things right…
A 40-year track record of being proudly America-First, way before President Trump hit the scene in 2015…
Not only America First but made, sourced, warehoused and shipped all from America! For 40 years and counting!
Oh, and 100% non-toxic!
No Flouride (if you don’t want it), no Red Dye 3 or 40, no Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) in any cosmetics product….
Got a problem? One phone call to their US-based customer service where everything is actually helpful (cheery, even) and they are happy to help you out, almost as if they like you!
Gee, what a novel concept!
It’s time to Make The Switch folks….stop supporting Target and WalMart.
Stop buying products that are hazardous to your health with so many additives and chemicals in them that you can’t even pronounce half the label.
You THINK you have a choice between all these companies listed below in the circle, but what most people don’t realize is they’re all owned by only 11 companies.
11.
Interesting number.
Will probably be even less than that in the future when these merge even further.
It’s an ILLUSION of choice.
The same goes for all your media…
It’s just an ILLUSION of different choices, but owned by these 6 companies:
Oh and how do you think they got to be such a great America-First company with such a long track record of success?
A strong founder, full of vision and drive.
While you may have never heard of this company (because they do ZERO advertising), Barack Hussein Obama knew about them!
In fact, when he was in office, he created a list of the Top 10 most “Dangerous Conservatives” in America and he placed their Founder on it as #8!
(a list I one day hope to make myself!)
As I said, they do zero advertising — they rely on people like me to spread the word. Good old word of mouth!
So on top of being the last Family-owned major consumer goods manufacturer not part of the Big-11, comparable or often lower prices, supporting American jobs and families, here’s more:
Non-toxic products!
That means no Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead in their food products!
Which really, if we’re being honest, should be the bare minimum for everyone, right?
Stunning I even have to tell you that, but I guess I do!
But it also means no Red Dye 40 or Flouride in the toothpaste or chemicals in the cleaning products, or Deet in the mosquito repellant.
What novel concepts, right?
Oh, and Black Angus beef, pasture raised on hundreds of thousands of acres.
Free roaming with plenty of open air between all the cattle.
Grass fed.
No hormones and no antibiotics. Never!
Oh, and it’s CHEAPER than Omaha Steaks!
And….they control the ENTIRE process from the cows grazing in the pasture to eventually ending up in your freezer.
But that’s a whole other topic!
Not only do they do zero advertising but it’s it’s actually “Invite Only”.
They only want people on the same mission to join and they’re happy to say “no” to the Far-Left Libs!
They’ve been doing it for nearly 40 years and it’s been working great.
Everyone gets a personal, white glove, concierge customer service support to get you access to everything they have.
Imagine that!
No call centers from India.
Just real, friendly, helpful and NICE Americans helping Americans!
Wow, like going back in a time-machine.
So it is Invite only…and good thing you know someone that has the invites….(me!).
If you’d like to find out more and get a FREE personal invite, just go here: https://bit.ly/3E7wFNL
It’s the real deal, and because they don’t raise the Black Angus like the big companies do, they may have the SHUT OFF invites if they grow too fast.
So if you want in, let me know soon.
There’s only one pro-American, American made and manufactured, chemical free, toxin free, hormone free, company left….and I’m teaming up with them to FIGHT BACK!
Who’s with me?
Watch this:
As I said, it’s Invite Only and the invite is completely free!
In fact, I’ve assembled a team of patriots who will personally get you invited and signed up….if you want in.
Americans Helping Americans.
Patriots Helping Patriots.
It’s called “Patriot Switch” and I think the name says it all.
Folks, we don’t have many strongholds left.
This is one.
And I’m all in.
If you’d like to find out more and get a FREE personal invite, just go here: https://bit.ly/3E7wFNL
Tell them Noah sent you and I promise you will get a personal call, text or email.
Don’t freak out when you do.
And make sure you tell them you are interested in the Black Angus beef too!
I know I tend to get concerned when I get messages from numbers I don’t recognize, but if you request a Free Invite (Link here) you WILL have someone from my Inner Circle reach out to you….so be ready!
These are awesome people and I think you’ll love getting a chance to talk with them.
And they’ll help get you all set up.
Who’s with me and who’s ready to stop eating Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead?
Your friend,
– Noah
p.s. Since everyone gets personal attention, we will take these in the order in which they come in. So if you are excited, ask for your invite now or you might be far down on the list. I have a great team, but they can only do so much and they’ll work on a first-come, first-served basis.
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