Target has announced its first quarter 2023 financial results, where it predicted this year’s profitability will be reduced by $500 million more than last year because of shrink. The company lost as much as $800 million from inventory shrink in 2022.
“We came into the year clear eyed about the challenges consumers are facing, and we were determined to build on the trust we’ve established with our guests,” said Target Chair and CEO Brian Cornell. “It’s required agility and the ability to flex across our multi-category portfolio as we lean into value and the product categories our guests need most right now. Thanks to the team’s dedication, we saw an increase in guest traffic in Q1, with total sales increasing and profitability ahead of expectations.
“As we look ahead, we now expect shrink will reduce this year’s profitability by more than $500 million compared with last year. While there are many potential sources of inventory shrink, theft and organized retail crime are increasingly important drivers of the issue. We are making significant investments in strategies to prevent this from happening in our stores and protect our guests and our team. We’re also focused on managing the financial impact on our business so we can continue to keep our stores open, knowing they create local jobs and offer convenient access to essentials.
“For the full year, we are maintaining our full-year financial guidance, based on the expected benefit from efficiency and cost-savings efforts and our team’s continued focus on agility, flexibility and retail fundamentals in the face of continued challenges including inventory shrink. At the same time, we will continue making long-term investments in our stores, supply chain and our team, positioning Target for profitable growth and market-share gains in the years ahead.”
Despite the increase in theft, Target recorded a 0.5 percent growth in sales and a nearly 1 percent growth in traffic.
“We are working with legislators, law enforcement, and retail industry partners to advocate for public policy solutions to combat theft and organized retail crime,” a Target spokesperson told The New York Post.
