"Closed, no staff" is quickly followed by "Retail space for rent". If you see that sign you can rest assured that the business is poorly managed.

Beyond the low pay it is quite likely that the manager is an asshole and the reason he can't find workers is because for what he's offering there are loads of opportunities for jobs at better managed stores in the area. This is a person who was spoiled when the job market was tight and now can't adjust to a new reality where people have options and if you suck they won't choose you. If the business isn't profitable without effectively slave labor then it was poorly structured.

It's just so puzzling to me that so many capitalists have no problem with the laws of supply and demand unless it applies to labor.

If there's a shortage of wheat, everyone expects the price of bread to go up. Everyone shrugs their shoulders and accepts it.

Shortage of oil? Gas prices go up. It sucks, but that's life.

Shortage of labor? NO, WE CAN'T INCREASE WAGES. UNACCEPTABLE. NOBODY WANTS TO WORK ANYMORE!

I don't think it's puzzling, at all but is instead smart rhetoric that exploits the protestant work ethic. You get to pay people less, and those people get to pat themselves on the back for their superior work ethic. It strikes me as a similar trade to how we pay teachers and NASA scientists less money because they get increased social standing.

Good. If the business can’t operate, it doesn’t deserve to exist.

Add yet society find it acceptable to subsidize farming of food.