How does shoplifting affect consumers?

This directly affects consumer prices in those stores. The "loss factor" reflects the store's expected losses based on historical data. But that "loss factor" includes not only losses from shoplifting, but also losses from employee theft, inventory errors and other causes. read more

Negative effects of shoplifting affect business owners, business customers, and teenagers, and society as a whole. The deleterious effects of shoplifting cost United States businesses approximately sixteen billion dollars every year. About one out of every three new businesses fails because of the effects of shoplifting. read more

To combat shoplifting, the retailer has increased prices, which may cause consumers to shop elsewhere to purchase comparable items at a cheaper rate. Time spent during that travel, plus the gas and wear and tear on the vehicle or simply an increased volume on the public transportation system are all real effects that can be seen. read more