I do believe it’s time to place the candy up higher away from the floor. They should also be under plexiglass, the way Walgreen’s does it. The squirrels learn very quickly and teach each other where to find the best easy-chocolate.
The store owner needs to do something now before the animals become more aggressive. They may be climbing up a customer’s leg next week, hoping to snatch the candy out of somebody’s hand. That’s Stage 3.
I think they let the squirrels steal the candy deliberately...as you said, they could stop it if they really wanted to.
They are probably far better known because of the squirrel thieves!