It may seem counter-intuitive but within 18 months or so this out of hand phenomena is likely to lead to an Increase in retailer profitability. How so you ask? Over time as these retailers assess and adjust, they are going to close a large number of redundant, loss generating locations.(mostly in the communities doing the theft) They will then be going to a much larger percentage of their operations being online sales with only pick-up or shipped goods that have already been paid for in advance. They will have to add increased security measures and be in communities and jurisdictions that still enforce the law against shoplifting and whose local residents don’t engage in such activities as a community sport. The increased percentage of online sales and less rent and employee expense of a smaller footprint will increase profitabilty over time. https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/theft-mentions-earnings-calls-ceos-jumps-record-amid-nationwide-shoplifting-crisis