Nordstrom is planning to close both of its Downtown San Francisco stores, choosing not to renew its lease obligations at its location in the Westfield Mall. It will also close a second nearby Downtown Nordstrom Rack.

The retailer confirmed the closures on Tuesday. In an email to employees, the company’s chief stores offices wrote that “the dynamics of the downtown San Francisco market have changed dramatically over the past several years, impacting customer foot traffic to our stores and our ability to operate successfully.” …

“The planned closure of Nordstrom underscores the deteriorating situation in Downtown San Francisco,” said a spokesperson for the mall. “A growing number of retailers and businesses are leaving the area due to the unsafe conditions for customers, retailers, and employees, coupled with the fact that these significant issues are preventing an economic recovery of the area.”

[They’re hastening an economic collapse, not preventing a recovery. The urban cores have become so dangerous that employers are leaving for better environments at an escalating pace. The article has a list of 20 major retailers who have left the downtown San Francisco are since 2020, but more than half of the exits came this year alone. And we just barely got into May. — Ed]