Most of you know I am a hypnotherapist, author, and intuitive reader (at least I hope so) but what many of you don’t know is that I am also really into macroeconomics, and I have a nose for BS.
The last two earnings season we’ve been hearing a lot about “shrink” basically theft from the major stores and we’ve been led to believe that it’s the reason stores aren’t doing well. Personally, I always question a narrative I hear over and over again because it tends to feel like they are trying too hard to make me believe something that might not be true.
Well, I did some research, and it turns out this one is true..but not in the way the news is making you think.
Yes, people do go into stores shove stuff down their pants and walk out without paying or go in a flash mob and steal a bunch of TV’s and purses. Yes, that happens and it’s a problem but it’s not where the majority of shrink is happening. It’s actually happening much further up the supply chain.
First let me explain what has happened to our shopping experience for those of you who have been hiding under a rock for the past 4 years. I don’t blame you by the way.
It used to be if you might do a target run for tide pods and tampons then end up coming home with 10 other things, hopefully including the two you went in there for (but not always I will admit). In short, it was kindof a fun leisurely way to spend an hour on a Thursday.
Now? Oh, heck no, you get in and get out as quickly as possible because stores are gross, people openly steal, you may witness a conflict and frankly even the parking lot no longer feels safe with all the vagrants holding up signs asking for money.
So, you go home and get the rest of your stuff on Amazon. Easy peasy.
But that’s part of the problem because some of that stuff you buy on amazon and other 3 party retailers actually came from a target, or best buy, or Dicks sporting goods because some employee decided to supplement their tiny income by shoving a case of whatever you needed into the back of their Toyota and selling it on their amazon account at almost full retail. You feel like you got a deal because those normally $150 hiking boots (just like the ones at Dicks) were only $130 and frankly amazon is pretty easy to deal with.
This is such a big problem that odds are every single one of you reading this has stolen property in your house right now and you don’t even know it. You may have even brushed your teeth with it this morning.
OK Jill thanks for the Buzz Kill, so what do we do?
Firstly, skip Dicks or REI and go to the Sportsman’s Warehouse website (so much better and cheaper) and buy from the retailers directly as much as possible.
As much as you can tolerate it, shove your pepper spray in your purse and buy at the retail stores.
Or even better buy from local small mom and pop shops. I know it is getting harder to find those, but they exist, and they provide a much better experience than the big box stores.
Ok but is it really my responsibility to police the sellers?
No, it’s not, and Amazon is actually doing a better job than most at cleaning this up, but we do need to do our part. You wouldn’t buy shoes out of the back of someone’s Toyota so be a bit vigilant when it comes to your online purchases.
Bottom line we really don’t want to lose our in-person retailers, especially the grocery stores. And you don’t want to be contributing to someone else’s criminal enterprise. So do the few things you can to help make this world a bit better.
Love yourself and the world enough to do your part.
*I hope this was interesting, I know it’s a bit off topic, but I did this as a Toastmasters speech, and everyone loved it..of course they are also my friends.
Thanks for your support!!
Jill K Thomas CHT
Soul Connect Transformations
Hypnotherapy and Intuitive Readings
760-803-2841
jill@jillkthomas.com
www.jillkthomas.com
Author of the books “The High-Income Healer” “Tales from the Trance” & “Feed your Real Hunger”
Appointments available Globally by Video Chat