San Francisco Target locks up products behind glass, citing ‘organized retail crime’

A Target store in San Francisco has locked many items behind glass in an attempt to combat theft.

The containment was discovered last week by a customer who posted a TikTok video detailing the change. In the video, most products in the aisle were locked behind a glass case and would require employee assistance to purchase.

“Like other retailers, organized retail crime is a concern across our business. We’re taking proactive measures to keep our teams and guests safe while deterring and preventing theft,” a spokesperson for the company said in a statement. “We are working with legislators, law enforcement and retail industry partners to support public policy that would help achieve our goals of creating a safe environment in our stores and keeping our doors open in communities across the country.”

The San Francisco Target had more products locked down than a normal store and it is not clear whether the policy will be implemented in other stores. 

Companies like Walgreens and CVS started using the strategy during the pandemic, locking up vulnerable products like razors and shampoo. Viral theft videos have made their way to mainstream news outlets the past few years and have spooked business owners and customers.

Retailers have invested heavily in security to combat crime. When the danger becomes too much, some have resorted to closing entire stores.

In San Francisco, Whole Foods decided to close its flagship store this month, citing crime. While a spokesperson for the store said the closure was temporary, it’s unclear when or if the outlet will reopen.

Several high-profile crimes this year have rocked the California city. In the span of a few days, Cash App co-founder Bob Lee was stabbed to death and San Francisco’s former fire Commissioner Don Carmignani was attacked with a crowbar the next day.

According to the San Francisco Police Department, homicides, burglary, rape and larceny-theft are all down from the same period last year. Robberies, however, are up 11%.