RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN – Shoplifting is a growing problem around the country that costs businesses billions of dollars annually. To better summarize the cost of theft, WGNS dived into the revenue generated by Walmart during the 2022 fiscal year.
Reports from the retail giant show sales increased by 6.4%, equaling $572.8 Billion in 2022. However, thefts also increased up to 3%, equaling $17.1 Billion last year. Stores are being hit by not only individual shoplifters, but also by organized crime rings stealing thousands of dollars of merchandise in one visit.
In Smyrna, one recent theft case has led police to share security photos of a subject who is reported to be a suspect. The incident was reported at the Smyrna Walmart store earlier this month on June 3, 2023. Police said the unknown person was seen leaving the area in a silver SUV, after the theft allegedly occurred at Walmart.
Some shoppers may have noticed different prices on the same items inside the Walmart stores they visit in one city verses another. A 2022 article in Forbes Magazine indicated the fluctuation in pricing is sometimes due to theft. If local law enforcement is unable to help curb shoplifting in an area, then Walmart increases prices to offset the loss or completely shuts down the store when the loss is great enough, according to the article. In fact, the majority of retailers have no choice but to increase prices when shoplifting occurs, otherwise loss will outweigh or be equal to profit.
While Smyrna PD has not said what the theft added up to, they are asking for help identifying the person who was recorded on video while in the store. If you know who the person is in the photo released by Smyrna Police, you’re encouraged to contact Detective Robert Monroe at 615-267-0455 or email him at robert.monroe@townofsmyrna.org.
Source: Smyrna PD
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