Unpacking Fashion’s Crime Wave

The retail industry’s instinct is to downplay shoplifting and other crimes. While “shrinkage” represents a multi-billion-dollar annual problem, companies don’t want shoppers to worry they’ll brush up against criminals while browsing for pants or lipstick, let alone witness a full-on heist.

Recent events have forced the issue to the top of the industry’s agenda, however.

Last month, a group of armed robbers stole up to €15 million…