Wal-Mart says it'll make a big change in store security...but does that mean less of it? Join us tonight at http://www.kfayam.com for "Arkansas Tonight" -- we'll take your calls and talk more about it (sorry for the plug) showtime 6 p.m. CDT. (streaming media)
A report out this morning (obviously from Friday) says Wal-Mart plans to change the way it handles store security. That comes from recent reports about organized rings of shoplifters making a dent in retailers business. WakeupWalMart.com says that includes tons of layoffs of store detectives, and a plan to simply put pressure on "associates" not to make calls to police and to ignore shoplifters. Sounds a lot like selective reality -- if the company can afford the occasional shoplifter, it'll cost less then greater crime statistics (in light of another abduction and murder that started in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Texas last week) and less than having to deal with nasty publicity. The company denies those reports, and says it just wants to make sure it pays attention to more important assets -- like customers. Is this just another example of a group of people ignoring "reality" or is it smart business?