The honor system doesn't work at scale. A small percentage of the population are kleptomaniacs or desperate for their next hit and there isn't an easy way to filter them out. Even with small groups you are playing the odds.
The only thing keeping the stores in the article in business is that they stock only a relatively small amount of cheap merchandise with no secondary market. Their total liability is so low that it's cheaper than hiring staff.
The only thing keeping the stores in the article in business is that they stock only a relatively small amount of cheap merchandise with no secondary market. Their total liability is so low that it's cheaper than hiring staff.