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.

A new report by the consumer-interest nonprofit Public Citizen calls out major retailers for donating to trade groups and campaigns supporting harsher shoplifting penalties in at least 18 states.