What is "sweethearting" in a retail context?

In the retail context, "sweethearting" refers specifically to a theft incident where there's collusion between a customer and an employee. This fraudulent behavior typically involves the employee ringing up a customer's items at a discounted price or failing to ring up certain items altogether, allowing the customer to pay less than the actual value of the merchandise. This practice not only results in inventory loss for the retailer but can also undermine customer trust and the overall integrity of the business.

The term highlights the importance of vigilance in loss prevention; retailers must ensure effective training and monitoring of employees to prevent such collusive activities. Understanding this concept is vital for anyone involved in loss prevention, as it emphasizes the need for strong internal controls and ethical standards in retail operations.