Nordstrom CEO Reveals Progressive Hell City That’s Worst for ‘Brazen and Violent’ Robberies

King County, Washington, home to the buzzy city of Seattle, has become the worst market for retail theft at Nordstrom stores, according to the company’s CEO, Erik Nordstrom.

Speaking at the first King County Public Safety Summit on Organized Retail Crime held last week, the executive revealed that while the county’s stores represent just 3 percent of Nordstrom’s overall presence, they are responsible for 10 percent of the company’s total theft-related losses.

During the summit, held at Microsoft’s Redmond campus to unite law enforcement, politicians and prosecutors in the fight against organized retail theft, Nordstrom said that “King County is our worst area for to that.” It is a significant financial burden.”

Nordstrom described the increasing robberies as increasingly “brazen,” often involving robbers armed with guns, knives, pepper spray and other physical violence.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association, a national trade group, reports that retail theft in the US has increased since 2020.

The progressive city of King County, Washington, has become Nordstrom’s worst market for retail theft, according to the company’s CEO, Erik Nordstrom.

Nordstrom expressed concern: “We’re born and raised here and we’re big supporters of anything local. Unfortunately, King County is our worst area for that. It’s a significant financial burden.”

Organized crime groups are now stealing tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise from multiple stores in a single event.

In Washington state alone, theft losses in 2021 totaled about $3 billion.

Like Nordstrom, which operates more than 360 stores, including its Rack discount locations, several other major retailers, including Goodwill, Target, Nike, Lululemon and Starbucks, have cited theft as a key factor in closing locations of sale from Seattle.

At the summit, CEO Nordstrom also noted the challenges facing security personnel, saying, “Trained security guards can do more, but we don’t want bullets to fly.”

“If criminals are willing to escalate beyond what a retailer or guard is willing to handle, it becomes difficult to manage.”

He added that security guards sometimes detain suspects but are forced to release them if the police do not arrive in time.

Pictured: Seattle’s homeless problem, which along with crime, has plagued the city

Items such as sneakers, handbags and sunglasses are particularly targeted by organized retail theft rings due to their high resale value.

To combat the problem, Nordstrom has increased its spending on theft prevention by 65 percent since 2019. Earlier this year, Washington state was identified as having the highest rate of crime and theft in the country detail

Seattle, in particular, faces a number of social issues, including homelessness, fentanyl use, an influx of migrants, and a general sense of lawlessness.

A viral video released in June by local journalist Jonathan Choe highlighted deteriorating conditions in the city.

Filmed at a gas station in Seattle, the video shows Choe in front of a woman who claims to be a sex worker, dressed only in a bikini and heels as she shops at the store.

When Choe asked her why she was dressed like that, she replied: “So we sell a ** here, so you can put the camera down. I have no shame in my game.

Nordstrom operates more than 360 stores, including Discount Rack locations

The encounter escalated when she threatened to break his phone, with Choe joking: “I dare you to run in those heels.”

Choe also captured footage of a man suffering on the street, highlighting the ongoing struggles with fentanyl addiction and prostitution in Seattle’s Aurora Avenue North area.

He noted, “Fentanyl addicts and prostitutes still rule this neighborhood. There were kids at this gas station when I pulled over to get a soda on Monday afternoon. The plan isn’t working.

In response to these problems, local officials have proposed reinstating laws banning vagrancy and prostitution, and Seattle’s mayor has pledged to address the situation.