Easily resold common goods are often shoplifted by addicts trying to feed their habits.
These are goods like laundry detergent or batteries that are very easy to resell and since the thief has nothing in them other than the risk taken, which ended as he left the store from which he lifted them, he can afford to offer them cheaply.
Shoplifting at this dollar value is a misdemeanor while breaking into a house to steal goods or threatening someone with or without a weapon to gain posession of goods are both felonies which may bring prison time.
Therefore, smart addicts will often shoplift to raise some cash.
Have you every been approached by someone in a certain part of town who offered you things like batteries or laundry detergent or even motor oil at maybe half off typical retail?
I have and I have a pretty good idea how the offeror came by the goods.
In this state at least, buying this stuff can also be prosecuted as a felony.