America’s shoplifting problem, explained by retail workers and thieves

Retail theft is a significant issue that affects workers and businesses, with shoplifters often leaving with stolen items. Jonathan, a retail worker, recently quit his job at a major pharmacy chain over the issue. The company ignored employees’ requests to put alcohol in locked cases and warned of camera blind spots that shoplifters were aware of. The cops were also not helpful, showing up hours after being called to ask if the perpetrators were still there. Retail theft is a complex issue with some overstatement and others underplaying it. Some ideas to address the problem include increasing staffing and locking up liquor, which would increase safety but would also cost money. Interviews with workers in retail and loss prevention revealed that many corporations are not doing enough to solve the issue. David Rey, author of Larceny on 34th Street, explains that most retailers don’t invest in asset protection or resources to protect themselves from shoplifting because there’s no return on investment.