@edgarblythe,
Sheer craziness, this stuff.
I had similar experiences at three different stores. In my case, it was likely triggered because I don't act normal. For instance, I went in a Target and looked at the movies on successive Saturday afternoons, without buying any. Left the store empty-handed. I am very picky and selective which films I pay money for. The next time I went in, I was in the act of actually putting a product in my shopping basket, when I noticed I was being shadowed by an employee. Eventually, I had put two items I intended to buy. Still they followed me. I decided to make them work a little harder and started pushing the cart erratically about the store. They finally sent a young guy to ask me what I was looking for. I smiled and said, "I think I'm finished." Paid for my stuff and left.