Shoplifting is an age old problem in retail.  Finding similarities in anything is possible if one is inclined to think about such things.   

A word to the wise.

I very specifically tell sellers to put valuables, meds, weapons, etc, away in a secure place.

I had a veteran female agent from another brokerage show one of my listings. The seller was in the kitchen cooking.

Buyers were in another part of the house but the agent went straight to the master suite.

After a few minutes the seller got an odd feeling and went to the master suite.

Agent was going through the sellers prescriptions, which were in a drawer. Agent had the bottles in her hands.

Agent apologized to the seller and left quickly.

Seller called the police who came and said:

“by giving permission for the showing you invited the agent and buyers into your home. They can rummage through your drawers, handle stuff, etc.

Unless you can prove they stole something there is nothing the police can do.”

I called the agents broker. They would do NOTHING. She was a "good" agent.

Can you tell if an agent in your area is an addict or would steal meds to sell?

Boy that is an assinine phrase. I agree that the self checkout could be a thing but how about prices in general? Hell a good drill is over $150 with no add-ons.

I also think that once all those giant pieces of wood are placed on those pallets, things might get 'hidden'.

That CEO is a jack ass.

1) Both! Policy and drugs. In our small city of 45,000 there are no less then 12 opioid arrests every week. Our jail is constantly full and at least 95% of it is drug related whether it be from dealing/using drugs or the effects such as spousal abuse and theft. Drugs are a much bigger problem then us "straight" people can imagine.

What is a surrogate endpoint?

I run my own business as an independent contractor so matters are always in my own hands so long as I don't violate laws or ethics.

Outrageous statement not supported by any facts. The CEO may be caught up in his own dope.

Taking matters into my own hands is a daily practice. I own, operate and manage my own business ... if I am not taking matters into my own hands then Houston, we would have a problem. 

Epidemic drug use is a result of much deeper issues... mental health, breakdown of families, etc. etc. etc.  Home Depot can blame it on whatever they want. 

one of the sales people in the local Home Depot store told me they never sell items on display because people come in and take small parts to replace what they own if theirs are broken.... they'll take a piece of equipment apart to get a piece needed!!!!

shoplifting to sell the item for cash to buy drugs happens everywhere...

For sure, a lot of stolen tools in Home Depot. 

This one could go in at least a dozen directions, including those companies that just give their prospective buyers a lockbox code and find a few of them squatting in the property later on.

Opportunities abound everywhere to salt one's pocket. If not HD, it is other businesses. I believe we are seeing the fruits of poor parenting and reliance on government and the public school system through the auspices of the NEA ripening. "Poor Johnny, he had such a difficult childhood"  Bullsh_t! We all owe it to society to take the high road and step-up to help advance honesty and the tough job law enforcement faces daily. Sure there are policies in place for agents detailed by the COE.

I avoid the self-checkout, it is not properly monitored. Also, a lot of theft takes place from the inside. A drug addicted agent was taking his clients decor, then putting those items in yard sales on the weekend. One homeowner happened to attend one identifying her stolen belongings. Called the cops. He said his son was sick and needed the money...

rfid, detection system not in place. I remember facuet cost was in the teens and one can replace the washer etc for a quarter. Now we got this giant chrome plated costs $ 300-400 with pull out plasti faked stainless steel hose lasting 1-2 year.... HD finally caught someone return supposely new faucets with a broken piece. He goes to all local stores and have returned $250,000 worth of parts not originals. Who is this is to blame? 

Who is it to blame when Robert Nardelli got booted out as HD CEO with $210,000,000.00 golden parachute for turning company to a disaster not long ago?

They have you on camera at those checkouts but clearly- not a lot of good that's doing. 

I am with Michael Jacobs 

Unfortunately, that exists

Homelessness, drug abuse, and a population of people who don't want to work hard are able to steal anything they want so long as it's under $950.00 In California most police won't arrest them for petty theft. If the store owner calls, they consider it a civil case. Employees don't want to risk physically stopping a meth addict who would just as soon bite them, punch them or spray with pepper spray (all recent news stories in California). If you are working minimum wage in Home Depot, you will not risk your life to stop them. The CEO of Home Depot could do something, he has money, power and influence. Craig Menear Adopt 10 drug addicts and get them into a five year program and give them a decent paying job where you build the shared house to live near the store and are tested daily, get counseling, get medical attention - give them some meds to stay off the drug of choice (there are many such medications), give them hope - joy - and a plan.   

Self checkout at any store is always open to abuse.  At my local Home Depots, they do have an orange apron at them.  Theft will always occur though.  They've put cameras up by the loose screws and such to deter theft there.  Some stores are getting smarter with the self checkouts and having cameras and such at the point of sale.

There are definitely policies that come down from NAR, like rule 8, that are not in the best interest of agents.  As such, matters have to be taken into our own hands.

I have no answer to the opioid crises as it applies to Home Depot or in any other arena.

They may need to upgrade their security. 

Shoplifting has been something every retailer is aware of, and builds in numbers into their business plan...One can blame opiods, their mother-in-law and the Swami from Cucamonga for shoplifting!  Sounds like Mr. Depot wanted to generate some press release to me...A

I think the CEO has been smoking something if he thinks his shrinkage is due to opiods!

SOOOO, is everyone who shops at Home Depot on opioids? I think I'll stick with Lowe's!

I think they should not have self serve checkout.

OK

HD has had a no pursuit policy for decades, so this is nothing new that HD has had a loss mitigation issue. If they wanted to prevent these losses & shrinkage then they would implement some legitimate loss prevention measures. Self-checkout POSs are in retail outlets across the country, Costco, Sam's, Wal-Mart, Target, grocers and they appear to have adapted in some manner to minimize their losses. I think HD has taken the stance, 
"There is no bad press" and welcome the shoplifting and publicity. Drugs play a part in the theft, but so does good old fashioned criminal activity.

I wish we knew.

If you read the article it explains that the bulk of stolen merchandise is taken by the truck load from warehouses and distribution centers. This is organized crime not junkies which makes the ceo either dumb or nefarious by saying this.

While opiods may be a factor for some, simple thievery should also get credit. As for self checkout, I always see an employee offering assistance incapable of stopping a thief!