Old Navy shuts down flagship store in SF due to retail theft surge.

Old Navy has announced the closure of its flagship store in downtown San Francisco, becoming the latest retail company to shut down stores in the area due to rampant crime and retail theft.

An Old Navy employee told a local CBS affiliate that the store, which has been open for more than two decades, has become a frequent target of shoplifting.

“They’re [shoplifters] there every day. When I’m on the floor walking around I would say at least 12, 14 during the day,” the employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said. “It’s really bad because it’s downtown San Francisco and it’s really out of control.”

Nordstrom announced earlier this month that it would be closing both of its downtown locations this summer, and Saks OFF 5th said its only location in San Francisco would close in the fall. Whole Foods closed its “flagship” location in San Francisco in April, citing the “safety” of its employees.

Walgreens closed five stores in San Francisco this year, citing the challenges posed by an “organized retail crime” wave. According to a National Retail Association survey, the San Francisco-Oakland area ranks as the second-most affected by organized retail crime, behind only Los Angeles.

Old Navy did not mention crime in a statement to the CBS affiliate, saying the “difficult decision” was made after evaluating the company’s “real estate portfolio.”