Retailers already have enough to worry about in trying to improve their bottom lines. Now, a new term is entering the vernicular: sweethearting.

According to Andrew Wren of Wren Solutions, in an article for Chain Store Age: “It’s no secret in the loss prevention industry that sweethearting, the practice of giving customers unauthorized discounts or free merchandise or services, is a major source of loss in retail. In fact, it has long been recognized as the most common type of employee theft and the largest contributor to loss in the industry. It is also a unique challenge to loss prevention efforts. Unlike other forms of employee theft, both the customer and the employee are aware of sweethearting.”

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