NCJ Number
79415
Date Published
1981
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This 1980 annual report presents data on shoplifting in the retail industry for retail executives, the judiciary, prosecutorial and law enforcement agencies, and interested citizens.
Abstract
Data tables present information on the value of merchandise recovered for supermarkets, drug stores, and discount stores; on the average number of items recovered by type of establishment; on the number of shoplifters referred to the police; on the day, month, and time apprehension occurred; on the sex and age of shoplifters; and on their methods of concealment. A formula that retailers can use to estimate their shoplifting losses is also included. Data indicate that the average number of items recovered per apprehension were 3.2 for supermarkets, 2.8 for drug stores, and 5 for discount stores. A total of 37.6 percent of adults were referred by supermarkets to the police for shoplifting; 25.2 percent were referred from drug stores and 61.3 percent from discount stores. Slightly more than half of the adult shoplifters at each retail firm were female, although most juvenile shoplifters were male. Most shoplifters concealed items in a purse or pocket. Extensive data tables are provided.