As I have said before, I don't really have much choice. There are only two chains around here, Kroger and Harvest Foods. Harvest Foods is owned by Kroger, it's prices are higher, selection more limited and quality worse. They keep it to give the impression of competition.

I have decided that my best strategy is probably to put my backpack into the cart when I enter the store. This way I resemble all the other shoppers and my backpack does not create a visible "red flag". If challenged, I will surrender it slowly, but not without challenge and protest. I want to make them know that it will be unpleasant to part me and my backpack. This must be done carefully because this Kroger not only has security guards, but uniformed Little Rock police officers.

Though I never had a problem in a year and a half of shopping, I have to assume that the management is just a wee bit paranoid.