This creates a kind of strange street loyalty much like the tale of Oliver Twist . Theft from stores, including employee and vendor theft, cost retailers many billions of dollars per year. Whole retail store chains have gone out of business due to their inability to control retail theft losses. Shoplifting losses will vary by store type, but can account for about one-third of the total inventory shrinkage. To combat these losses, merchants have had to take sometimes extreme measures to control shoplifting.
Most large retailers employ plain-clothes floor detectives to observe customers as they shop.
Many shoplifters are detained and arrested for their indiscretions. Plain-clothes floor detectives alone are not enough of a deterrent because they are seemingly invisible. Others secure expensive and high theft items like small leather items, perfume, cosmetics, tools, liquor, or cigarettes in locked enclosures. Other retailers use cables or hanger locks that require the assistance of a sales associate to unlock the expensive item of clothing before you can inspect it. It is important for us to know these facts and be patient with stores that try to control their losses due to theft.