Decades ago in Eastern Europe (don't know about now), shops were set up so that all goods were behind counters. When you wanted to buy something, you paid at th

Decades ago in Eastern Europe (don't know about now), shops were set up so that all goods were behind counters. When you wanted to buy something, you paid at the register in front, then showed the receipt to the clerk at the appropriate counter. I've wondered whether that arrangement was to prevent theft or to increase employment.