Retail stores’ policies benefit shoplifters

[The Straight Story]

Retail stores’ policies benefit shoplifters


Retail companies across the nation refuse to prosecute shoplifters due to the cost post-arrest and the risk of hurting the brand’s image. As a result, the majority of shoplifting cases go undetected because they’re not reported.

“Personally, I feel like the laws are made just to protect them,” said Jen Santiago, assistant manager of Arden B. in the Palm Beach Gardens Mall. “It’s not really for us.”

According to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention, shoplifting has become one of the most prevalent crimes in the U.S, averaging about 550,000 incidents per day, and more than $13 billion in merchandise stolen from retailers each year.

What most people don’t realize is the impact shoplifting has on honest consumers. Many retail companies do not want to pay for the cost of prosecution after an arrest. Instead, they raise their prices to compensate for losses.

“It all gets reflected: People we’re able to hire, price of the clothing and being shut down with internal
theft or external theft. It all adds up,” Santiago said.

http://upiu.com/articles/retail-stores%E2%80%99-policies-benefit-shoplifters