Retail Theft
I. Outline-Retail theft A. Introduction
" Excuse me, sir/madam can I check your bag please?”
"Lifting", "jacking", "racking", "nicking", "boosting" and Five finger discount", are some of the slang terms used for retail theft (also commonly known as shoplifting). Shoplifting is theft of goods from a retail establishment. It is one of the most common property crimes dealt with by police and courts. In the next few minutes, I will provide you information on the statistics of shoplifting, some reasons why people shoplift, common shoplifting methods, and ways stores can reduce shoplifting. II. Interesting things to know B. Statistics
1. There are approximately 27 million shoplifters (or 1 in 11 people) in our nation today. 2. Approximately 25% of shoplifters are kids and 75% are adults. 3. Six percent of all inventory disappears due to the theft. 4. Shoplifters say they are caught an average of only once in every 48 times they steal. They are turned over to the police 50 percent of the time.
5. Habitual shoplifters steal an average of 1.6 times per week. C. Types of shoplifters and reasons 1. Unfortunately, there is no typical profile of a shoplifter. Thieves come in all ages, races and from various backgrounds. Many shoplifters are amateurs; however, there are people and groups who make their living from shoplifting, and they tend to be more skilled. 2. Approximately 3 percent of shoplifters are "professionals" who steal soley for resale or profit as a business. 3. The vast majority of shoplifters are "non-professionals" who steal, not out of criminal intent, financial need or greed but as a response to social and personal pressures in their life. 4. Many steal for the excitement generated from "getting away with it" which produces a chemical reaction, what shoplifters describe as an incredible "rush" or "high" feeling".
" Excuse me, sir/madam can I check your bag please?”
"Lifting", "jacking", "racking", "nicking", "boosting" and Five finger discount", are some of the slang terms used for retail theft (also commonly known as shoplifting). Shoplifting is theft of goods from a retail establishment. It is one of the most common property crimes dealt with by police and courts. In the next few minutes, I will provide you information on the statistics of shoplifting, some reasons why people shoplift, common shoplifting methods, and ways stores can reduce shoplifting. II. Interesting things to know B. Statistics
1. There are approximately 27 million shoplifters (or 1 in 11 people) in our nation today. 2. Approximately 25% of shoplifters are kids and 75% are adults. 3. Six percent of all inventory disappears due to the theft. 4. Shoplifters say they are caught an average of only once in every 48 times they steal. They are turned over to the police 50 percent of the time.
5. Habitual shoplifters steal an average of 1.6 times per week. C. Types of shoplifters and reasons 1. Unfortunately, there is no typical profile of a shoplifter. Thieves come in all ages, races and from various backgrounds. Many shoplifters are amateurs; however, there are people and groups who make their living from shoplifting, and they tend to be more skilled. 2. Approximately 3 percent of shoplifters are "professionals" who steal soley for resale or profit as a business. 3. The vast majority of shoplifters are "non-professionals" who steal, not out of criminal intent, financial need or greed but as a response to social and personal pressures in their life. 4. Many steal for the excitement generated from "getting away with it" which produces a chemical reaction, what shoplifters describe as an incredible "rush" or "high" feeling".
Cited: Nonperiodicals Horan, Donald J. The Retailers Guide to Loss Prevention and Security. Boca Raton: n.p., 1996. Print. Thomas, Chris. Loss Prevention in the Retail Business. Hoboken,NJ: Wiley, 2005. Print. Web sites, e-sources National Association for Shoplifting Prevention. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 July 2010. <http://www.shopliftingprevention.org///.htm>.