It would seem from the article that the business model not only requires the free protection, but that the enforcement of fines an judgements is a major driver

It would seem from the article that the business model not only requires the free protection, but that the enforcement of fines an judgements is a major driver of revenues. In your hypothetical example, I believe you are referring to a physical storefront where the primary revenue generating activity is to sell merchandise. If your hypothetical shopkeeper had a shop that made more money from forcing shoplifters to pay a fine for scaling, then... perhaps. I don't think your hypothetical shop exists, so it's tough for me to answer.