Part 8/10:
The advent of online marketplaces has only added to the complexity of this issue. The stolen goods are being offloaded through channels like social media and various e-commerce platforms, fueling a $4.4 billion black market for stolen merchandise. While companies like Amazon and eBay do indeed profit from these transactions, they are not directly responsible for the crimes occurring in the streets.
Retailers, particularly pharmacies, are caught in the crosshairs of these dynamics. They face rising theft rates aggravated by online resale markets and lenient legal repercussions for offenders. The unfortunate result is that legitimate businesses must resort to extreme security measures, which further detracts from their appeal to customers.