What is a Shoplifter?
A shoplifter is someone who steals money or goods from a store while it is open. The economic impact of shoplifting is debatable, with some industries claiming that shoplifting results in a large loss of profit, while others simply find it a nuisance. As a general rule, penalties for shoplifting include replacement of the stolen item, and sometimes the shoplifter may be forced to do community service or pay a fine. He or she will typically not be allowed into the store again either. Shoplifting is a pretty old problem for merchants: the word itself dates to the late 1600s. There are a wide variety of reasons to shoplift, ranging from extreme poverty and an urgent need for a particular item to boredom, and shoplifting techniques are quite varied as well. In some industries, shoplifting problems are compounded by employee theft, which can make it hard to tell who is taking merchandise, and when. Shoplifters employ such a wide range of styles that staff in stores must keep their eyes open