I have a hard time understanding how someone can steal something from Costco. Sure, it's not impossible, but it seems really hard.
First, because of the size of the products themselves. It's hard to conceal them. And small items come in blister packs which are hard to open even at home. Second, because they have cameras and have almost every shopper's photo and address on file. Third, because they have the receipt checkers at the exit.
If I had to take a guess, it's more about policy than "they don't catch them". I doubt it's someone coming in, taking a TV and walking out.
It's more like if an item or 2 "sneak in" and the checker just lets them go. It'd cost more money in congesting the line, grabbing security, etc. to contest that item than it would be to just let them go. They don't want to press charges on someone who spent $100 because they wanted to sneak some $15 pills by. All stores expect X% theft anyway and build it into the price of their item (or secure it better if it's a small, often stolen good, like tech).
It's probably a cultural choice, though. Meanwhile, the Walmart down the street is much more aggressive on that stuff.
Given how people stuff their carts, seems like you could easily bury something expensive at the bottom. If the store is super busy the receipt checkers probably won't disassemble your whole cart.
First, because of the size of the products themselves. It's hard to conceal them. And small items come in blister packs which are hard to open even at home. Second, because they have cameras and have almost every shopper's photo and address on file. Third, because they have the receipt checkers at the exit.
I'd love to know how theft happens.