Target CEO Brian Cornell has brushed off concerns about some stores locking merchandise behind glass, stating customers are thanking him for taking such precautions against retail theft.

Cornell was asked about the company's fiscal third-quarter earnings, specifically if Target's lost sales could be attributed to possible customers who have grown frustrated over the locked merchandise. Target is one of several shopping giants that have dealt with retail theft, with Cornell noting that stores on both the East and West Coasts have had their items "locked up," according to a report.

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"And actually, what we hear from the guests is a big thank you because we are in stock with the brands that they need when they're shopping in our stores," Cornell said. "And because we've invested in team member labor in those aisles and make sure we're there to greet that guest, open up those cases, and provide them the items they're looking for."

Cornell was pressed if the precautions against retail theft led to a decrease in customers wanting to shop at Target, to which he said it was "just the opposite," as customers value having items they need in stock.

"And they understand the fact that we've had to make some changes to ensure the safety of the product and the fact that they have product in stock when they're shopping the stores," Cornell said.

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Last month, Target closed nine stores across four major cities in the United States, including one in New York City, three in San Francisco, three in Portland, and two in Seattle. Target stated in a press release that it was shuttering these locations due to theft and retail crime "threatening the safety of our team and guests."

Amid the attempt to cut down retail theft, some stores are reconsidering their use of self-checkout lanes, as Costco believes some of its shrinkage has partly increased "due to the rollout of self-checkout." Walmart is another outlet thinking about rolling back using self-checkout.