It is not uncommon for the staff and low-level managment to be in on this stuff together. I first witnessed it at 16, when working in a toy store. I was then the "victim" of it in more recent years (well, the charges were blocked). Some of what is called "management" in these places are paid maybe .25/hr more than the counter clerk, and may not even receive overtime pay so may make less in actual wages and be even more disgruntled after the "promotion." In your particular case, I think its probably limited to just a small scale.