Tuesday, December 23, 2003

Observed while Christmas Shopping

This morning, Melissa and I, against my protestations, went to one of the local mega malls to, according to her, finish up some last minute gift purchases.  I went along as more of a bag carrier and receipt pocketer than a shopper, though I did purchase something for my Mum and my Dad.  Our first stop was the Old Navy store, and since it was fairly early, 9 A.M. or so, there were actually more employees, seasonal and otherwise, in the store than consumers.

Melis found what she was looking for in rather quick time, so off to the cashier we went.  As we stood at the checkout counter, no waiting in line either, and Melissa answered the twenty questions they typically throw at you; will that be an Old Navy charge, zip code please, would you like gift receipts, etcetera, etcetera, I noted two young men approaching the mall entrance/exit of the store.  When the gentlemen I observed made it to the front of the store, they both stopped, seemingly waiting, for what I did not know.  I did not need to wait long to find out.

As the young men stood there, a supervisor, at least that’s what the dangling name tag/store pass said, approached the young men.  As said supervisor approached, the young men stripped off their outer clothes.  In each case, a bulky, hooded sweatshirt.  At that point I was able to determine that the young men actually were employees of Old Navy.  Seasonal or fulltime I cannot say.  What got me, was the fact that the supervisor then patted both of the young men down, including their sweatshirts.  Right in front of me.  I almost couldn’t believe it.

I realize that shoplifting and employee theft are a problem in retailing, as this article plainly states, but subjecting employees to these cautions, directly in front of paying customers, seemed to lack good judgement, and, made me wonder if the supervisor was going to consider asking me to remove my heavy leather jacket for a pat down when it came time for me to leave the store.

The linked article states that over $4.7 billion was lost to employee theft and shoplifting in just 25 retail establishmets in 2002.  A number, considering the small amount of retailers, that is rather staggering.  I do not know the methodology followed for determining this number, but, if it is accurate, it would appear that there are more dishonest folks than honest folks.  A supposition that I have a hard time believing.

Posted by John Venlet on 12/23 at 11:55 AM
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