The retail theft ‘crisis’ isn’t what you think it is

By Sean H. Vanatta

As the holiday shopping season gets into high gear, retailers are complaining about theft and fraud. The panic centers on what are known as “flash mobs,” groups that storm large corporate retailers, grab what merchandise they can and flee. Big box retailers have also blamed platforms such as Amazon and Facebook Marketplace for allowing the resale of misappropriated goods, and what they describe as easing of punishments for theft offenses in some states. Read more here.