The circle of life. Stores fail for complex reasons → retailer quietly posts accurate analysis of its own mistakes → retailer loudly posts press release blaming shoplifters and gangs → media likes …
It’s factored into profits but that doesn’t mean it’s going to change the price. The reason cost is a factor is because competitors can’t charge lower than what it costs for the product. But when you have online as a competitor then things like cost of stolen items have less of an impact because you need to compete with them or other chains who have figured out how to prevent theft at a cheaper cost than you.
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to say that prices are at least partially a result of the cost of doing business.
What’s part of the cost of doing business? Theft. Estimated shrink rates are factored into profit forecasting.
It’s factored into profits but that doesn’t mean it’s going to change the price. The reason cost is a factor is because competitors can’t charge lower than what it costs for the product. But when you have online as a competitor then things like cost of stolen items have less of an impact because you need to compete with them or other chains who have figured out how to prevent theft at a cheaper cost than you.