Markets in everything - Marginal REVOLUTION

Reverse shoplifting edition, the link is from Japan by the way. As it is explained to me in an email:

Value_Added #240950
(Del Monte whole kernel corn no salt added)

2012-

Canned corn and receipts
Dimensions variable

The artist takes one canned good to multiple supermarkets and re-buys it. This single can of corn has been re-bought from 105 supermarkets for a total of $113.07. ( as of June1, 2013 )

This procedure is possible because the stores have no way to identify individual items: the barcode printed on my can’s label, #240950, refers to its contents, and not to that particular can.

I suppose in expected value terms this is more rational and more profitable than non-reverse shoplifting, also known as shoplifting. For the pointer I thank Pamela Regis.