The most of that I ever saw usually was an articulation issue. You've had to have seen that (ad-nauseum) way more than I. My career report tally was only in the mid 8,000s.
That's a LOT of reports! I suspect you're right, but that it's also more than just articulation, it could also be a lack of will by the store's upper management. But, I know that many businesses got all shuddery-like when it comes to going hands-on. Some, like Wal-Mart, would fire an employee who got physical even if he or she was legally justified. It's one reason why some of the big stores - at least out here - have become true shop-and-robs. And every year we used to get teams from the L.A. area that work up and down I-5 plundering major retailers along the way.