Wal-Mart Revises Shoplifting Guidelines
Younger Teenagers Becoming A Pain
Wal-Mart is recommending its stores prosecute shoplifters at a younger age, tightening guidelines for store managers as it fights rising theft, which has eroded its profit. Wal-Mart Stores said Wednesday that it issued new guidelines to its U.S. stores this week lowering the age at which it recommends they prosecute first-time shoplifters to 16 from 18. A year earlier, Wal-Mart relaxed its policy by recommending stores prosecute first-time offenders only when the items stolen are worth $25 or more, a guideline that remains in force.Specific rules vary among stores but most retailers consider 16-year-olds mature enough to face consequences for their actions. Wal-Mart’s policy change applies to first-time shoplifters. The guidelines are a suggestion and store managers have leeway to prosecute anyone accused of theft. The new policy shortens the time a store will wait for parents before calling police on a child suspected of shoplifting. The wait time is now one hour, compared with 90 minutes under previous rules. I still think there’s no better punishment than wearing a sign that says “I Stole From Walmart“.
