Mentions of retail theft seem to be fading, their fever pitch cooling. What's changed? And how bad was the problem in the first place?

Merchants say retail thefts have become more frequent and brazen. Law enforcement is now putting more money into things like store stakeouts and task forces that track organized retail crime rings.

Retailers are implementing new strategies to thwart thieves, such as locking up merchandise and limiting the number of customers. Companies say thefts are on the rise across the U.S.