They all do, even the people specifically hired for loss prevention are more about deterring suspected shoplifters than actually stopping them. Once you're out with the item, as far as the store is concerned you're now the police's problem, because insurance will cover most of their losses.
At my retail job it was largely to prevent lawsuits from occurring. Apparently one branch had a problem with a guy getting too enthusiastic about loss prevention and would tackle anyone he suspected of shoplifting, then seriously injured a child in the process. Might just be a story management told us to calm us down, but the reasoning is sound. It's better to lose money on a stolen toothbrush than to have your cashier break someone's arm.
Don't most places have a "No Heroes" policy nowadays, or something to prevent escalating things like this?
They all do, even the people specifically hired for loss prevention are more about deterring suspected shoplifters than actually stopping them. Once you're out with the item, as far as the store is concerned you're now the police's problem, because insurance will cover most of their losses.
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Every retail job I had, I was told "if they demand you open the register, do it."
At my retail job it was largely to prevent lawsuits from occurring. Apparently one branch had a problem with a guy getting too enthusiastic about loss prevention and would tackle anyone he suspected of shoplifting, then seriously injured a child in the process. Might just be a story management told us to calm us down, but the reasoning is sound. It's better to lose money on a stolen toothbrush than to have your cashier break someone's arm.