The rise of post-pandemic retail theft has left America's retailers with holes in their cash flows and an array of questions that need answers but a look deeper suggests other dangers are lurking.
Yeah, shoplifting is the excuse a lot of retail corporations are giving to say that they are struggling with revenues and margins. Yet, when you look deeper, it seems like there are other fundamental problems as well, such as high inventory, low consumer demand, etc.
Low consumer demand and high levels of shrink are hardly independent variables. The shrink variable is a partial causative factor of lower consumer confidence and thereby lower consumer demand. Fix the shoplifting problem, and you'll increase consumer confidence and raise consumer demand.
Absolutely. Imagine waiting for +15mins just to wait for someone to open the locks to this store aisle so you can buy 1 tube of toothpaste. I'd rather go to a store (maybe pay a premium) to buy my toothpaste and check out in 5 mins. Or order it online....
I'd agree that shoplifting reduces consumer confidence, which probably leads to lower than optimal demand. The shoplifting problem is a hard one to fix. Of course, stores are locking up items and getting security guards at the door, but the issue is systemic, which is long term negative.
Perhaps shoplifting is blamed for many of these corporations collapses?
Yeah, shoplifting is the excuse a lot of retail corporations are giving to say that they are struggling with revenues and margins. Yet, when you look deeper, it seems like there are other fundamental problems as well, such as high inventory, low consumer demand, etc.
Low consumer demand and high levels of shrink are hardly independent variables. The shrink variable is a partial causative factor of lower consumer confidence and thereby lower consumer demand. Fix the shoplifting problem, and you'll increase consumer confidence and raise consumer demand.
Absolutely. Imagine waiting for +15mins just to wait for someone to open the locks to this store aisle so you can buy 1 tube of toothpaste. I'd rather go to a store (maybe pay a premium) to buy my toothpaste and check out in 5 mins. Or order it online....
https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/news-photo/locked-up-merchandise-to-prevent-theft-in-target-store-news-photo/1432577292
I'd agree that shoplifting reduces consumer confidence, which probably leads to lower than optimal demand. The shoplifting problem is a hard one to fix. Of course, stores are locking up items and getting security guards at the door, but the issue is systemic, which is long term negative.