Employee Theft Leads to Collapse of Large Supermarket in Inner Mongolia
In an astonishing turn of events, a once-thriving large-scale supermarket in Inner Mongolia has shut down due to widespread employee theft. The supermarket, "Da Fu Yuan Shopping Center," occupied an area of 3,000 square meters and was initially successful under the management of a woman named Zhao.
Zhao opened the supermarket in 2019 in the city of Ordos, but in early 2021, she had to step back due to her husband’s illness. She then invited friends and family to help run the business. However, within just six months, the supermarket went from profitable to bankrupt, a situation Zhao never imagined.
The Theft Uncovered
In August 2021, when Zhao’s supermarket was on the brink of closure, she discovered a significant discrepancy in inventory. After reviewing surveillance footage, she was shocked to find that one employee had been stealing for an extended period. To her further disbelief, this employee confessed that they were not the only ones involved in the theft, leading to the revelation that all 16 employees, including partners, were complicit. The stolen goods were even resold to other stores.
The Extent of Theft
Over the course of six months, an astonishing 6 tons of eggs vanished without a trace, contributing to a total loss of NT$9 million (approximately US$300,000). Employees employed various tactics to steal, from under-ringing items to outright theft. In one instance, a 100-yuan (approximately NT$450) package of beef jerky was stolen for just 0.5 yuan (approximately NT$2.25). One 35-year-old cashier even sold goods worth 1,700 yuan (approximately NT$7,652) to her husband for just 1 yuan (approximately NT$4.5).
The Impact on Employees and Management
Zhao expressed her disappointment, noting that employees’ salaries were not inadequate, with some earning up to 3,000 yuan (approximately NT$15,000) per month, and cashiers even receiving a share of profits. Despite this, they chose to engage in criminal activity. A former store manager who tried to alert Zhao to the suspicious activities was reportedly forced out after just two months, allegedly for not participating in the scheme.
Legal Consequences
One employee, Liu, was sentenced to two years in prison for theft. Liu attempted to avoid imprisonment by claiming to be pregnant, but Zhao questioned the authenticity of the medical documents and the premature birth of Liu’s child. Despite Zhao’s objections, the court granted Liu’s request for temporary release.
This story serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks and consequences of employee theft, highlighting the importance of robust internal controls and vigilant management.
