- Walgreens acknowledged it may have overblown concerns about thefts in their stores after shrinkage stabilized over the past year.A top Walgreens executive on Thursday acknowledged the company may have overblown concerns about thefts in their stores after shrinkage stabilized over the last year.Shrinkage is the difference between a company's recorded inventory on their balance sheet and its actual inventory.It primarily accounts for items that were shoplifted but also includes inventory that was damaged, lost or stolen by employees.Kehoe said the company has spent a "fair amount" to crack down on the thefts but acknowledged the private security companies they've hired have been "largely ineffective.""