Assume high value items are the majority of the thefts by value:

$800'000 in thefts from that aisle * 51% for a (slim) majority * 2000 stores = $816M in shrinkage.

If your store is seeing six figure losses due to theft you hire out some Loomis guys or rent-a-cops and park them at both entrances.

That 800k number does seem to get quoted alot in the comments here, I wonder if it's an actual figure or just some part of a training video that sticks with people

Knock the 30 dollars and benefits down to part time 15 an hour employees.

We're down to 2 million.. let's select the 10% worst stores.. we are down to $200,000.

They can check other inventory items and check out customers.

Cheaper than a one second ad during the superbowl

> Knock the 30 dollars and benefits down to part time 15 an hour employees.

So, you're encouraging a business to hire minimum wage labor and schedule so as to avoid paying benefits? And these people (you've just screwed) are the ones you're proposing be granted the responsibility to detect theft?

> let's select the 10% worst stores

Infeasible, as most theft by dollar is organized, which targets a somewhat random scattering of stores, intermittently. Highest shrink retail stores already have additional theft mitigation tech deployed.

> They can check other inventory items and check out customers

Not if they can't be in two places at once. 15 minutes is a fairly middle of the road estimate for: walking to the area, checking the on-shelf number, checking above the rack, and possibly checking the back. If anything, it's already under-estimating the time required.

Yes.. or hire students not phds to do the inventory