shoplifted goods are paid for, it’s literally factored into the price and claimed against insurance. they get paid for the product regardless. on your other point, I don’t believe you need to use the branded drink mixes, I think you can carbonate anything (within reason). others have posted Big Clive’s videos, he’s carbonated all sorts on his channel, previously using a sodastream but now using an alternative

the deep lore has been mentioned and I am here to witness