1. Comedian @MichaelRapaport posted a viral video of a man stealing items from @riteaid
He claimed the store was closing due to thefts
His claims were repeated by @nypost, @axios, and other outlets
But it was all a lie
Follow along if interested
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
He claimed the store was closing due to thefts
His claims were repeated by @nypost, @axios, and other outlets
But it was all a lie
Follow along if interested
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
@MichaelRapaport @riteaid @nypost @axios 2. @MichaelRapaport said the man in his video stole shampoo and condoms
Rapaport's video and his claim that NYC Rite Aids were closing due to a recent surge and thefts were featured six articles in the @nypost alone
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
Rapaport's video and his claim that NYC Rite Aids were closing due to a recent surge and thefts were featured six articles in the @nypost alone
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
@MichaelRapaport @riteaid @nypost @axios 3. But the claim wasn't limited to right-wing media outlets controlled by Rupert Murdoch. It was echoed by @axios, which presented Rapaport's claims as fact, citing the @nypost's "reporting."
Axios said it was proof of a "crisis"
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
Axios said it was proof of a "crisis"
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
4. None of this was true. @riteaid created a list of 63 stores across the country it was closing to reduce costs in 2021. Those stores began closing last November. It was part of an effort to "reduce costs" and "drive improved profitability."
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
5. @riteaid did not attribute any of the store closures to shoplifting. And the reduction in stores is part of a larger trend in the industry.
CVS also announced last November that "it would shutter 900 locations over three years"
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
CVS also announced last November that "it would shutter 900 locations over three years"
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
6. Why are drugstores closing? They rely on foot traffic from people picking up prescriptions to sell higher-margin products like OTC drugs and cosmetics
But more people are getting their prescriptions online
So there are too many drugstores in the US
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
But more people are getting their prescriptions online
So there are too many drugstores in the US
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
7. Shoplifting does not have a significant impact on profitability because these drugstore chains are insured and can recoup most of the cost from stolen items.
@Walgreens has closed 1,000 stores since 2018
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
@Walgreens has closed 1,000 stores since 2018
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
@Walgreens 9. Retail theft is up modestly in NYC — about 15% since 2019. But overall crime levels, especially violent crime, are way down since 2000 and even more dramatically since 1990.
There is no "crime wave" in NYC
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
There is no "crime wave" in NYC
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
10. @riteaid, on the other hand, has been repeatedly accused of stealing millions from its employees.
It has paid over $50 million in the last five years to settle accusations of wage theft for its employees, which make an average of $33,212 annually
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
It has paid over $50 million in the last five years to settle accusations of wage theft for its employees, which make an average of $33,212 annually
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
11. @riteaid's alleged wage theft from its employees has received essentially no media attention, outside of subscription-only trade publications
Meanwhile, the media is focused on a guy who stole shampoo and condoms from one store.
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
Meanwhile, the media is focused on a guy who stole shampoo and condoms from one store.
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
12. Companies steal an estimated $15 billion in wages from their employees each year
That exceeds the value of all stolen goods each year and the bulk of that is stolen cars
Yet wage theft is not treated as a crisis or even a story
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
That exceeds the value of all stolen goods each year and the bulk of that is stolen cars
Yet wage theft is not treated as a crisis or even a story
popular.info/p/rite-aid-wro…
13. For updates on wage theft and more fact-based reporting on crime in America, check out my newsletter, Popular Information.
It's free to sign up ➡️ popular.info/subscribe
It's free to sign up ➡️ popular.info/subscribe
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