These Target stores are set to close: Here’s the full list..

 

These Target Stores Are Set to Close: Here’s the Full List

In a significant move that underscores the evolving challenges facing big-box retail in the United States, Target Corp. announced that it will permanently close nine of its stores across the country — a decision rooted in safety concerns, shifting consumer behavior, and broader structural pressures on the retail sector.

This closure list, once rare for one of America’s most recognized retailers, marks a pivotal moment for a company that has long symbolized convenience, value, and suburban shopping culture. This article provides the full list of closures, the context behind the decision, and an analysis of how this reflects a changing retail landscape.

The Official Target Closure Announcement

On September 26, Target issued a statement explaining that it would close nine stores effective October 21. The closures are focused on store locations where persistent organized retail crime and safety issues have undermined the shopping environment, as well as ongoing challenges with profitability at these sites.

In its statement, Target emphasized that while these stores served important roles in their communities, the company could not continue operating them under prevailing conditions. Employees at the impacted stores were offered opportunities to transfer to other Target locations.

Full List of Target Stores Scheduled to Close

Here’s the full list of the stores that Target confirmed it will shut down — effective October 21:

New York

East Harlem Location — 517 E 117th St., New York, NY

Washington State

Seattle – University Way NE — 4535 University Way NE, Seattle, WA

Seattle – Ballard — 1448 NW Market St., Seattle, WA

Oregon

Portland – Portland Galleria — 939 SW Morrison St., Portland, OR

Portland – Powell Blvd. — 3031 SE Powell Blvd., Portland, OR

Portland – Hollywood District — 4030 NE Halsey St., Portland, OR

California

San Francisco – Folsom & 13th St. — 1690 Folsom St., San Francisco, CA

Oakland – Broadway & 27th St. — 2650 Broadway, Oakland, CA

Pittsburg Store — 4301 Century Blvd., Pittsburg, CA

Why These Closures Matter

Closing stores is not a common move for Target — a company with roughly about 1,980 stores nationwide — but this action is a symbol of the pressures facing brick-and-mortar retail.

1. Organized Retail Crime and Safety

Target explicitly cited organized retail crime as a major factor driving these specific closures. The company stated that crime at these locations had reached a level that made ongoing operations unsustainable.

In an era of increasing inventory shrinkage and theft-related losses across retail, this move reflects the difficult decisions many companies face in balancing customer experience with operational viability.

2. Broader Challenges in Retail

The Target closures are part of a larger wave of closures affecting numerous retail chains across the U.S. in recent years. Analysts and industry trackers have noted thousands of store closures across multiple sectors, from department stores to specialty retailers, often attributed to changing consumer habits, higher operating costs, and the shift to online shopping.

For example:

Over 8,200 U.S. retail closures were reported in 2025 due to tariff pressures and competition from e-commerce.

Major retailers such as Macy’s, Kohl’s, and others are closing underperforming locations and restructuring.

While Target has historically been strong in its category, even industry leaders are needing to reevaluate their strategies.

Target’s Strategy and Changing Retail Footprint

Interestingly, the closures are happening alongside other major shifts within Target’s business:

Leadership and Restructuring

Target recently underwent significant executive changes with its new CEO, Michael Fiddelke, who is reshaping leadership and accelerating operational reforms. This includes streamlining some areas and placing more investment into frontline store teams and customer experience.

Partnership Changes

In addition to store closures, Target is also approaching the end of its Ulta Beauty partnership, which had created shop-in-shop beauty experiences in hundreds of stores. That collaboration is set to conclude by August 2026, leading to the closure of more than a dozen adjacent Ulta mini-stores in the Bay Area and elsewhere as part of the planned phase-out.

Employee and Community Impact

For employees at the closing stores, Target has indicated it will prioritize transfers to other nearby locations where possible. This approach aims to reduce disruption to team members’ livelihoods even as the company navigates these closures.

Communities losing a Target often feel a tangible impact. These stores are not just retail outlets — they are anchors in shopping centers and hubs for everyday essentials, from groceries and household goods to pharmacy services.

What This Means for Shoppers

Shoppers in the affected regions will need to adjust to these closures after October 21:

Customers will still be able to shop via Target’s online platforms, which remain a growth focus for the company.

For frequently visited services — such as pharmacy or optical offerings — Target continues to operate other nearby locations with full services.

Looking Ahead: Retail Trends to Watch

The Target closures offer a lens into broader retail trends shaping the future of in-store shopping:

1. Retail and Crime Prevention Technologies

Retailers are increasingly investing in surveillance and loss-prevention technologies to protect assets and support safer environments.

2. Store Network Optimization

Many chains are choosing to reduce their physical footprint while redirecting investments to digital channels and experience-driven store formats.

3. Consumer Behavior Shifts

Customers are continuing to embrace e-commerce, and retailers are responding with hybrid models, same-day delivery options, and smaller footprint stores in strategic locations.

Conclusion: A Strategic but Significant Step

The closure of nine Target stores — though a small fraction of its nationwide footprint — highlights a complex blend of economic pressures and strategic repositioning in American retail. Target’s decision illustrates how even well-established brands must adapt to evolving challenges, balancing safety, profitability, and long-term relevance.

As shoppers, employees, and analysts digest the full implications, these closures may serve as a case study in how big-box retailers navigate both the opportunities and headwinds of a rapidly transforming marketplace.