recently, a story reported that lululemon fired two store employees for confronting thieves who stole about $7,000.00 worth of merchandise. lululemon’s ceo mr. calvin mcdonald, in an interview, indicated that he puts the safety of the team and guests ahead of the merchandise. dailymail.com he indicated that “it’s only merchandise”.
is mr. mcdonald’s statement “it’s only merchandise” correct?
who pays for the stolen “merchandise”?
(a) the customers with higher prices
(b) the lululemon team members with their salaries and benefits
(c) lululemon’s shareholders. these shareholders likely include retirement and pension funds. in other words, it could financially impact many people
(d) all of above
what can happen when you allow organized store theft?
(1) thieves may eventually rob from customers or team members – i.e. a shopper’s louis vuitton handbag full of cash and credit cards
(2) thieves, in their mad dash in and out of the store, may trample over a customer or team member injuring them
(3) this policy placed surrounding businesses [shopping centers and malls] at risk. you are inviting the criminals in the neighborhood]. yes, you lululemon are becoming the crackhouse on main street u.s.a.
(4) you put the area residents at risk of injury. thieves racing off from your stores in their get-a-way car may strike pedestrians or other cars. [this could create a fantastic liability suit against lululemon in light of their policy.]
is there something bigger at state than just “merchandise”?
yes. there is a moral problem that is created by mr. mcdonald’s store policy. he is creating and contributing to a decay of values within our society. his action damage the moral welfare of his employees. watching immoral acts in real time is emotionally traumatizing. team members become morally disturbed watching robbery after robbery. it impacts the soul. lululemon shoppers- and their children-are morally disturbed when the witness these crimes in progress. it is disheartening to come into a store with earned money to make a deserved purchase only to see others cheat society’s rules. further, this policy increased immorality within secondary sales markets. normal citizens, perhaps at a swap meet, are increasingly brought into a world of knowingly or unknowingly purchasing stolen merchandise. finally, mr. mcdonald’s policy destroying the moral climate of the shopping centers or malls in which his business operates. no business owner wants to be next to a store that has a high crime rate. they are the crack house in malls and shopping centers.
in sum, mr. mcdonald’s simple thinking is neither morally acceptable or sustainable. lululemon is toxic; they are toxic to their employees, customers, neighboring stores, and the communities that they operate. additionally, they are toxic to its very shareholders who, depending upon your portfolio, may be you.
be well!!
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The Ten Commandments Project 