American retailers lost approximately $78.4 billion to shoplifters last year. Target is the latest company to shut down stores because they can't afford to stay open. Yes, all in progressive cities. The ones where progressive voters elected progressive leaders to enact progressive policies and can't understand why it isn't safe to leave their homes. As it turns out, big box retailer Costco's loss rate is roughly ten times lower than the industry average.

CFO Richard Galanti explained why in an investor earnings call. It boils down to the store charging people to get in, and knowing who they all are.

"You have to show your picture ID when you come into our warehouse so the fact that it’s member-only is a positive," said Galanti. "We’ve always had one way in and one way out and people checking receipts at the door."

It's the membership format and controlling entrances and exits that the company credits for having much lower losses than the rest of the industry.

But is this a solution for other companies? The stores that are victims of progressive equity-inspired theft also control their entrances and exits. And then wave to the thieves as they walk out the door. The employees who don't and try to stop the thieves get fired.

And the ID thing, if you'll indulge me...

Consumers getting used to buying everything with credit cards gave governments the opening to push digital currency that they control.

Consumers getting used to ordering everything from home gave governments the opening to keep you there during a public health crisis... that wasn't crisisy enough to let delivery people stay home.

I'm weary about what customers getting used to needing a universal ID in order to enter department stores will give the government an opening to do. I only know that voting will be the only place they WON'T mandate you needing to show an ID.

Though I'm glad Costco has such a low rate of theft. It keeps getting a soda and hot dog at only a buck and a half.

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Brodigan is Grand Poobah of this here website and when he isn't writing words about things enjoys day drinking, pro-wrestling, and country music. You can find him on the Twitter too.

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