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Although customer theft is traditionally researched from a criminological or psychological perspective, this paper investigates shoplifting as consumer behaviour, demonstrating that well-defined models of normal consumer behaviour can be applied to aberrant behaviour such as shop theft. Empirical research is used to show how adults and teenagers form belief systems that amount to rational intentions in the decision to shoplift. The theory of planned behaviour (Ajzen, 1991) was used as the basis for two self-report surveys which investigated the interaction between consumers' attitudes and beliefs about shoplifting and their perceptions of retail security. The first survey utilised a sample of shoppers from the South East Midlands; the second a sample of school students from the same area (861 respondents in total, 109 respondents admitting to shoplifting in the previous year). Both studies indicate that the decision to shoplift is influenced by pro-shoplifting attitudes, social factors, opportunities for shoplifting and perceptions of low risks of apprehension. This implies that the deterrent messages we use must be reassessed.

Crime is a major problem for many retailers. Uses data from three national retail crime surveys, analyses the extent and costs of retail crime in the UK and evaluates trends in customer and employee theft. Finds that most surveys show that crime costs UK retailers an average of 1.0-1.5 per cent of their sales, whilst US retailers lose in excess of 25 per cent more. Discusses the management of retail security and the major loss prevention approaches adopted by stores. Reviews security technology used in both the UK and US, store exclusions, and civil recovery programmes. Concludes that combating retail crime requires a range of integrated policies to be used.