- Portland Galleria – 939 SW Morrison St
A store positioned in downtown Portland. (corporate.target.com) - Portland Powell – 3031 SE Powell Blvd
Located in the Powellhurst-Gilbert area. (corporate.target.com) - Portland Hollywood – 4030 NE Halsey St
Serving the Hollywood District and surrounding Northeast Portland neighborhoods. (corporate.target.com)
Why Are These Stores Closing?
Target’s official statement makes clear that these closures are not random or convenience-based — rather, they stem from deep structural challenges at these specific locations.
1. Rising Retail Crime and Safety Concerns
The primary reason Target cited for these closures is the ongoing difficulty in managing theft and organized retail crime at the affected stores. Target publicly stated that it “cannot continue operating these stores because theft and organized retail crime are threatening the safety of our team and guests, and contributing to unsustainable business performance.” (corporate.target.com)
2. Operational Sustainability and Business Performance
Closures were also connected to concerns about business performance. According to Target, the stores identified for closure were not meeting the company’s standards for profitability due to inventory loss and negative impacts on the customer experience. (corporate.target.com)
While Target remains committed to the communities where these stores operate, the company asserted that keeping underperforming locations open would jeopardize the safety and satisfaction of both employees and customers. (corporate.target.com)
The Broader Retail Context
Target’s closures are not happening in isolation. They reflect wider trends in the U.S. retail industry, where brick-and-mortar stores are increasingly under pressure from a mix of economic, social, and consumer behavior shifts.
Here are some of the broader industry forces at play:
📉 A Record Number of Retail Store Closures Nationwide
According to retail experts, more than 8,000 U.S. chain stores closed in 2025 alone, with closures accelerating into early 2026. This trend has been attributed to a range of factors — from economic pressures like inflation and rising rents to changes in how consumers shop. (New York Post)
📦 Shifts Toward E-Commerce and Value-Focused Retailers
Customers increasingly favor online shopping and value-based retail chains that can offer deep discounts and home delivery options. While Target has made significant investments in e-commerce and curbside pickup, competition from Amazon, Walmart, and dollar stores continues to put pressure on traditional department store formats. (New York Post)
🛍 Rising Costs and Labor Challenges
Retailers are also grappling with higher operational costs, including labor, logistics, and supply chain expenditures. Many companies are reevaluating their store portfolios to focus on high-traffic and profitable locations — even if that means reducing their overall physical footprint. (New York Post)
Impact on Employees and Local Communities
Any store closure — especially of a beloved retail location — has ripple effects on the people and neighborhoods it serves.
👩💼 Team Members and Employment
However, these changes still represent a significant adjustment for workers who may have built friendships and routines around their local stores. For many, relocating to a new store means adapting to new schedules, commutes, and workplace teams.
🏙 Community Access to Goods and Services
Target stores often act as community hubs — places where people shop for groceries, household items, clothing, electronics, and more. Losing a store can mean longer travel times for many shoppers, especially in dense urban areas where alternative retail options may be limited.
For example, communities in Harlem, downtown Portland, and the San Francisco/Oakland area will notice gaps in local retail coverage once these closures take effect. (corporate.target.com)
What This Means for Shoppers
So what should customers expect?
🛒 The Target Experience Isn’t Disappearing Everywhere
Despite the closures, Target still operates hundreds of other stores across the U.S. — including multiple locations in the markets where closures are happening. For example, Target noted that after the Harlem store closes, there will still be 96 stores in the New York City area serving customers nearby. (corporate.target.com)
Likewise, other regional markets like Seattle and San Francisco/Oakland will maintain significant store coverage even after the closures. (corporate.target.com)
📦 Shopping Online and Alternative Formats
Target’s online platform (Target.com) remains “always open,” and the company has continued to develop services like same-day delivery and drive-up pickup. These digital options make it easier for customers to shop even if a physical store closes near them.
Industry Reactions and Commentary
Retail analysts have weighed in on what these closures say about the state of brick-and-mortar retail:
📊 A Shift Toward Profitability Over Expansion
Instead of broad store expansions, many retailers are now focusing on profitability and operational efficiency. This means closing stores that aren’t performing well and reinvesting in technology, supply chain efficiency, and flagship locations.
🛡 The Growing Cost of Retail Crime
Target’s decision highlights the growing concern around organized retail crime — not just theft, but incidents that threaten employee and customer safety. Retail crime has been cited as a factor in overall industry shrink (inventory loss) of over $100 billion annually — something that all major retailers are grappling with. (corporate.target.com)
💡 Rethinking Store Footprint and Format
Rather than abandoning physical retail entirely, companies are exploring smaller-format stores, partnerships with digital services, and hybrid shopping experiences that blend online and offline conveniences. Target itself has plans for new store formats and openings even amid closures. (Retail Dive)
Final Thoughts
The announcement of Target’s store closures — and the full list of nine affected locations — serves as a clear example of how the retail landscape is evolving. Challenges like organized retail crime, economic pressures, and changing consumer expectations are reshaping how and where people shop.
For customers, these closures may affect convenience and local access, but they also reflect Target’s broader efforts to adapt and remain competitive in a rapidly changing market.
For employees and communities, the changes are both a moment of uncertainty and an opportunity — helping Target refine its operations while still offering new ways to shop and engage.
