Many, MANY moons ago, I worked in a very busy San Francisco Bay Area Safeway. A few of us had run track. I was a middle distance runner (440,880). My friend was the sprinter. Back then, we were allowed to chase the thiefs. If my friend was unable to catch them, I kept chasing. One of the ones that I caught was incredulous. He was black, and a white boy out ran him.
Needless to say, we eventually were told to stop. Private security with guns is much better.
The policy of not even attempting to deter shoplifting only emboldens thieves to do it more.
And who ends up taking it in the shorts with higher prices due to pilferage?......the law abiding consumer.