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Rivière-au-Renard: Cashier cheats €200,000 - verdict is imminent!
On December 12th, a judge will decide on the prison sentence for Diane Chrétien, who embezzled 200,000 euros from a supermarket checkout.
Rivière-au-Renard: Cashier cheats €200,000 - verdict is imminent!
A fraud case is causing a stir in Rivière-au-Renard. Diane Chrétien embezzled over $200,000 over a six-year period at the checkout counter at a local grocery store. Their actions have not only resulted in financial losses for shop owner Monia Côté, but have also caused her psychological distress. Loud Cimtchau Côté commented during her court test on the serious consequences of the fraud on her personal and business situation.
Diane Chrétien herself has confessed, citing that personal financial difficulties and the situation of her adult son were the reasons for her criminal actions. Her lawyer advocates a sentence of 22 months with probation because Chrétien is a relative who cares for her son. However, the public prosecutor is demanding a prison sentence of 20 months. The decision is due to be made on December 12th.
The challenges in retail
As the fraud scandal makes headlines, other retailers are also grappling with the effects of inflation. In Canada, food inflation is 3.5 percent. That is 1.6 points higher than general inflation, report colleagues from La Presse. At the same time, many retailers, such as Loblaw and Sobeys, have maintained stable profit margins over the past few quarters.
But despite stable margins, consumer trust is being severely questioned. Social media is reporting drastic price increases, even as global data tells a slightly different story. Meanwhile, practices like “Érablanciment” and the history of the bread scandal are fueling distrust of the price increases. The possibility of $100 in compensation is a drop in the bucket compared to the cartel's estimated $5.4 billion between 2001 and 2015.
Increase in thefts
Another problem plaguing many retailers is the increase in shoplifting. In Germany, the numbers are alarming: last year, goods worth 4.1 billion euros were stolen. This corresponds to an increase of 23.6 percent compared to the previous year, according to the daily news reported.
The reasons for this increase are manifold: Inflation is causing a lack of money, while a shortage of skilled workers is making life easier for thieves. Food and clothing stores as well as drugstores are particularly frequently affected. Popular stolen goods include spirits, tobacco products and cosmetic products. A good third of thefts are committed by professional criminals who often work in gangs. In Germany, too, the state loses sales tax revenue of around 560 million euros annually due to these actions.
Whether fraud or theft – the challenges in retail are greater than ever. The coming months could be crucial, not only for Diane Chrétien and Monia Côté, but also for many traders struggling with the gradual loss of confidence and rising prices.