The city of Portland, Ore., is continuing to slip off the deep end as the left-wing Democrats who run the place continue pursuing insane soft-on-crime policies while also decriminalizing drug use. And now the combination of bad policies are producing negative economic results.
Walmart has declared that it will be shutting down both of its locations in Portland, Oregon by the end of March, resulting in local residents having to travel greater distances to access Walmart stores. Although the stores located on Hayden Meadows Drive and SE 82nd Avenue have been popular among shoppers, Walmart has stated that low profitability necessitated the closures. However, there have been speculations that the decision may have also been influenced by frequent incidents of rampant shoplifting, the Post Millennial reports.
Both stores will be shuttered this month.
Walmart has announced it will permanently close all its locations in Portland, Ore. Walmart has long been harshly criticized by the city's left-wing politicians & residents, but this shutdown follows the consequences of the 2020 BLM-Antifa riots that normalized urban criminality.
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) March 3, 2023
Walmart doesn't close stores, but the chain is closing both of them in Portland, Ore., where Democrat soft-on-crime and drug use policies are now beginning to have negative economic effects. https://t.co/OT7oZzQIgL
— USA Features Media (@UsaFeatures) March 5, 2023
“Walmart has long been harshly criticized by the city’s left-wing politicians & residents,” The Post Millennial Senior Editor Andy Ngo said, suggesting that “this shutdown follows the consequences of the 2020 BLM-Antifa riots that normalized urban criminality.”
“The decision to close these stores was made after a careful review of their overall performance,” a Walmart spokesperson said in a statement. “We consider many factors, including current and projected financial performance, location, population, customer needs, and the proximity of other nearby stores when making these difficult decisions. After we decide to move forward, our focus is on our associates and their transition, which is the case here.”
Walmart has communicated to Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler through a letter that its decision to shut down the SE 82nd Avenue location will affect 379 employees. The company has stated that the store will be closed to the public on March 24, with staff expected to be terminated by June 2.
“We expect the employment separations to be permanent,” Walmart said, adding, however, that “all separated employees can apply for open positions at other Walmart or Sam’s Club locations.”
While there are over a dozen other Walmart locations situated in the suburbs surrounding Portland, many shoppers have expressed disappointment over the closure of the only two stores within city limits. According to a customer interviewed by KPTV, nearby alternatives are “three times the price” of Walmart, and with the added cost of fuel to reach out-of-town locations, it may be more economical to shop elsewhere.
“We gotta resolve the shoplifting one way or another,” she noted further, addressing the topic of retail theft at the city’s locations, “because that is simply the problem. It’s gotta stop.”
