NCJ Number
160878
Date Published
1995
Length
38 pages
Annotation
Shoplifting incidents in 189 retail companies in all parts of the country in 1994 were analyzed to provide retail loss control decisionmakers with information for comparison and planning purposes.
Abstract
Data were collected on a self-administered case report form mailed to the office of Loss Prevention Specialists, Inc., within 2 weeks of the incident. The participating companies included grocery stores (31 percent), drug stores (14 percent), home and hardware stores (11 percent), and general merchandise stores (10 percent). The analysis revealed that although discount/mass merchant chains accounted for only 9.5 percent of the firms studied, they reported more than 50 percent of the shoplifter cases. Grocery and drug stores also had significant proportions of the cases. Companies with enhanced detection capabilities and high theft levels apprehended the largest number of dishonest customers. The items most often confiscated from shoplifters were cigarettes and other tobacco products, athletic shoes, and apparel. The average theft amount per incident was $20.36. Juveniles ages 13-17 accounted for 24 percent of the shoplifters. Findings indicated the need for retailers to examine the impact of external theft on their business and should implement focused, cost-effective loss control. Discussions of shoplifting in particular types of stores, figures, tables, suggested reading list, and 9 references