Walmart to close California store in wake of criminal activity

Walmart announced that it will close another one of its locations in California this week. The retailer will shutter its store on Albrae St in Fremont, located just outside of San Francisco , on May 24.

Nearly 170 jobs will be affected and the employees will be laid off by July 26, according to state filings. Management said that the decision was made due to the store's poor financial performance.

However, some are pointing to a number of recent crimes at the store, including a fire that was set by burglars in 2022 and an assault on a woman in the parking lot.

A spokesperson said that the impacted employees can seek employment at other Walmart stores in the Bay Area.

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"We are grateful to the customers who have given us the privilege of serving them at our Walmart store at 40580 Albrae St," the spokesperson told Kron4.

“We look forward to continuing to serve them at one of our 10 other Walmart stores in the Bay Area, including a store within three miles from this location, on Walmart.com and through delivery to their home or business.”

The news comes after the retail giant, which operates nearly 5,000 stores across the country, announced closures in San Diego, El Cajon, West Covina and Granite last month.

Closures are also reportedly planned in other states including Wisconsin, Maryland and Ohio. On Wednesday, the retailer announced the closure of all 51 of its Walmart Health centers .

Walmart said in a statement: "The decision to close all 51 health centers across five states and shut down the virtual care offering was not easy. We understand this change affects lives.

"This is a difficult decision, and like others, the challenging reimbursement environment and escalating operating costs create a lack of profitability that make the care business unsustainable for us at this time."

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