After retiring from a career in corporate marketing, I took a job in a retail chainstore for something to do. I learned that shoplifters were selling their plunder on online sites, which was then a rapidly growing phenomenon. Every practical suggestion I made to my higher ups to control shrink was either against existing company policy, not allowed because local stores could not customize in ways that varied with national averages, or dismissed because of ageism and sexism directed against me.
I'm sure I'm not the only employee who tried to help; but while the market still exists for that product line, that large, long-time national chain went out of business a few years ago, and no other store has yet fulfilled its niche. Lawlessness kills capitalism.
“because local stores could not customize in ways that varied with national averages”
Related...our son manages a good tire store. Small shop, but in a wealthy town and lots of repeat business. Professional people can get tires and car services done during weekdays. People don’t do a lot of car work on their weekends off.
Down in lower income places like East San Jose, the people cannot just take off to get work done during their own work hours, so they depend on weekends and later closing hours.
Corporate decided all 1,600 stores have to stay open until 7 pm and be open all day Sunday. It’s a one-size-fits-all rule, with no room for local exceptions. It’s a huge waste of money for our son’s operation. I was astonished at their lack of understanding of local markets.