IIRC, the alarming spike in retail (property) crime in San Fran was traced back to a single store location, due to Target corporate changing their reporting standards.
Of course, this outlier wasn't accounted for in the industry association's report.
In addition to the self-citations this OC noted.
The "Organized Retail Crime" Panic [2023-10-21], If Books Could Kill podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2040953/13846837-the-organized-re...
Retailers treat their customers like criminals and are surprised most of them don't come back! News at 11.
BTW, the convenience store near me has a massive shoplifting problem. The owners keep it understaffed. The thieves know the only working employee is stuck at the register so, in full view of cameras, customers, and the employee, will say hello to the cashier, take what they want, warm up some food, and walk right out! The only thing the cashier can do is mark the time and items down for the owner. Everyone knows what the solution is, yet the owners are unwilling to do it.
Don't believe your lying eyes - CVS WANTS to lock up all of their stuff.
There's no theft issue, there's no war in Ba Sing Se.
So, the inventory losses aren't half from organized crime, it's less. Does that mean that the majority of the losses is actually just 1) disorganized criminals (i.e., just randos who don't expect to be caught), or 2) insider/employee theft, or 3) not actual losses, but accounting subterfuge to cover actual poor performance?
TFA gives no indication, and it seems it'd make a difference in what is the appropriate response.
And yes, the locking many products behind cages certainly makes it a lot less convenient the few times I find it useful to shop in physical stores. Seems it'll just drive even harder the preference for online shopping.