The video overlaid by the words: \u201cProof retail is in fact, skilled work\u201d.<\/p>\n
Crushes co-founders Rose Hope and Sarah Firmston, pictured outside their new store on the corner of Karangahape Rd and Pitt St last year. The CCTV clip of the thwarted theft (inset) has so far drawn 1.2 million TikTok views. Photo \/ Anna Heath<\/p>\n
A man appears from the left of the frame with a red long sleeve top in hand. While moving swiftly towards the exit, the employee spots him almost immediately.<\/p>\n
As she shuffles past a group of four standing idly nearby, the alleged shoplifter tries to make his escape \u2013 nearly making it through the doors \u2013 before she skilfully snaps the garment from his grip and spins it back into the store.<\/p>\n
The man barely flinched as he left the premises, having been caught red-handed.<\/p>\n
The video has 1.2 million views and more than 130,000 likes at the time of writing.<\/p>\n
The Herald has approached Crushes for comment.<\/p>\n
Users appeared to be divided over whether the shopkeeper should have avoided the interaction after seeing the video.<\/p>\n
Many United States-based viewers expressed disbelief that the employee put herself in a potentially risky situation for the business, adding that employers shouldn\u2019t encourage them doing so in the event they face resistance.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be supporting your employees putting themselves in harm\u2019s way for profit,\u201d one commented.<\/p>\n
\u201cSmall business or not you have a obligation to protect your workers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another said they would have let the shoplifter go if it was them, arguing they wouldn\u2019t be \u201cpressed about a $30 shirt that\u2019s priced at a 300% markup after being manufactured by someone who made literal dimes\u201d.<\/p>\n
A Kiwi user chimed in to defend the shop, highlighting Crushes\u2019 belief in \u201cconscious consumerism\u201d and the fact it only sells vintage clothing and products from local artists and businesses.<\/p>\n
Crushes backed their response, adding their employee recently confronted someone stealing an expensive cardigan, that took a local maker 25 hours to produce.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll pay her whether it sells or gets stolen. As is the way with everything we sell, cause that\u2019s the business we run!\u201d<\/p>\n
Others stressed to sceptical viewers that Crushes is a New Zealand-owned business with a tight-knit and dedicated team, and praised the employee for intervening in style.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not a corporation it\u2019s a small, female-owned New Zealand business that mostly sells art and literature from local makers as well as second-hand clothing,\u201d one person commented.<\/p>\n
\u201cDefs not a corporation. That being said, never risk ur safety for a corporation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another wrote they loved seeing \u201ccompanies that do choose to stick up for themselves and their employees\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cRecoveries always feel empowering bc yes I am taking my stuff back, thank you,\u201d they added.<\/p>\n
A third person said the employee was \u201csuch a diva, I\u2019m obsessed\u201d, while a fourth commented: \u201cOh this is exactly the serve u think it is!!\u201d.<\/p>\n