The Target location at DC USA in Columbia Heights, Washington DC, has implemented a new rule requiring all shoppers under the age of 18 to be accompanied by an adult during in-store visits. This rule appears to be enforced by the mall itself, DC USA, which has signs stipulating the age restriction outside its multi-story development. Target has not yet responded to requests for comment on the new policy.
The DC USA shopping center is the District of Columbia’s largest retail development, serving over 36,000 people daily. The Target store at DC USA is the District of Columbia’s first Target location and spans 180,000 square feet over two levels.
The new age restriction may be related to an uptick in juvenile crime in Washington DC, especially in areas like petty theft. According to BusinessDIT, 26.7 percent of shoplifters in 2023 were between the ages of 12 and 17. Customer shoplifting makes up 37 percent of retail shrinkage, according to Extenda Retail.
Target has recently implemented other measures to combat inventory shrinkage, such as limiting self-checkout customers to ten items or less in March. Reddit users reacted to the news of Target’s age guidelines with mixed reactions, with some expressing concern about the increase in shoplifting and others joking about being carded at Target.
