Outsiders to the retail world might be somewhat uninformed about all of the operations and behind-the-scenes drama that occasionally transpires in a store. It’s hard to believe at times because the most commonplace thinking might be that retail is an industry designed for people who aren’t too bright, but it could not be further from the truth.
This is especially relevant when someone makes the decision to do the wrong thing. Whether it is when “The Shoplifter” devises a plan to enter a store and steal, or internal theft is carried on by employees as part of a devious scheme (“The Garbage Thief”).
Obviously in some businesses, such as department stores, the companies who run and own have the means to hire an entire loss prevention department to try and prevent theft, and if shoplifters are caught in that setting, they are typically prosecuted.
Not to say that in strip malls or others, people who break the law aren’t arrested and prosecuted, but different retail stores have different company policies regarding such matters. Surprisingly, they vary quite a lot.
However, when an employee decides to steal or not do the right thing, considerably unforeseen ramifications may occur: other staff members getting fired because it happened under their watch.
Of course, other employees aren’t accountable for the actions of one, but unfortunately that is neither here or there in some cases. That’s why in training videos for many retail jobs have a clear chapter about loss prevention and stealing. it never just hurts one person, it hurts many.
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