The practice of large retailers, such as Walmart, gathering evidence and information related to suspected theft incidents is a complex undertaking. This process involves collecting surveillance footage, witness statements from employees, and inventory records to establish patterns or specific instances of shoplifting. The evidence gathered is then used to decide whether to pursue legal action against the individual or individuals involved.
Developing comprehensive information on theft incidents benefits the retailer in several ways. It can serve as a deterrent to future theft, contribute to recovering stolen merchandise, and potentially lead to prosecution, sending a message that shoplifting will not be tolerated. Historically, retailers have varied in their approach to pursuing shoplifting cases, balancing the cost of investigation and legal action against the value of the recovered goods and the perceived need to maintain order.