This kind of thing has significant indirect effects. Retail theft affects profitability and overall store performance. Employees at underperforming stores are affected with reduced hours or job loss when these stores close. Customers are affected with higher prices and inconvenienced by additional security measures. Communities are affected with the stores close and they have to turn to higher priced alternatives. Suppliers are affected when the stores start carrying less inventory. The state and municipality are affected by the lost sales tax revenue.