Everyone agrees stealing is against the law. But when someone can't afford groceries, diapers, or basic hygiene products, the conversation gets a whole lot more complicated.
A recent survey found that 30% of Americans admitted to shoplifting—up from 24% just two years ago. Nearly 90% blamed the economy or rising prices, and the most commonly stolen items weren't luxury goods. They were everyday necessities like food, drinks, and personal care products.
Katrina said there's no question that stealing is wrong, but she understands why some people are reaching a breaking point. She pointed to the soaring cost of basic feminine hygiene products, saying women often pay what's commonly called the "pink tax" for necessities they simply can't go without. When essential items become outrageously expensive, she says it's not shocking that some desperate people resort to theft just to get by.
Paul agreed that many of the products now locked behind glass in stores are basic necessities, but he drew a firm line. No matter how expensive things get, he said shoplifting still hurts the people who own neighborhood grocery stores, markets, and small businesses. Those business owners have invested their lives into keeping their doors open, and stolen merchandise eventually leads to higher prices, tighter security, or stores closing altogether.
It's a debate with no easy answers. Inflation has pushed everyday costs to levels many families never expected, and that financial pressure is very real. But retailers are also dealing with growing losses and tougher security measures that affect every honest customer who walks through the door.
In the end, the bigger issue may not be shoplifting itself—it's why more people say they feel driven to do it. When basic necessities become harder to afford, communities are left asking a difficult question: how do we help struggling families without shifting the cost onto businesses that are struggling too? That's a conversation that's likely to continue long after grocery prices finally come back down.
By: NBC Palm Springs
July 22, 2026
