By Dave Branco

Crime

Moving online may be an option to avoid shoplifters

May 26, 2022 | 1:23 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – They are known to be bold, aggressive and act without caring for others. Shoplifters are affecting retailers’ bottom line and safety.

CKPG News talked with one small business owner who says the crime is leaving her uncertain about what to do to protect her business, while one business expert argues it could push more and more businesses online.

Small-business owner Cassandra Premack has lost five thousand dollars of merchandise in the past three months. When she arrives for work, she turns on the lights in her store, triggering the surveillance system.

She moved her business out of downtown to the mall earlier this year, thinking fewer shoplifters would be, but that was not the case.

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Premack says criminals threaten employees and walk out of the store with stolen merchandise even with a state-of-the-art surveillance system. She says she reports these incidents to the police, and no one gets arrested.

Charles Scott with the Faculty of Commerce at UNBC says if retailers get pushed enough, there is an option to move the retail business online away from shoplifters.