Shoplifting makes up approximately 34% of a company's loss.  
There are basically three categories for shoplifters:

  • Thrill Seeker- Usually juveniles or young adults stealing out
    of peer pressure or for the fun of it. These shoplifters can be
    easily deterred and usually prevented with good customer
    service.
  • Amateur Shoplifter- Someone that steals different items
    quite frequently, but does not do it as a means of making a
    living.  The thefts are usually to save money or get an item
    they know they can take.  Amateur shoplifters can also be
    deterred or prevented with good customer service.
  • Professional Shoplifter- Someone that steals merchandise
    for a living and is well trained in how to do it and usually
    works with others in an organized manner stealing thousands
    of dollars worth of merchandise at a time.  Professional
    shoplifters are very determined and work in groups to occupy
    employees and they can steal even with a store giving the
    best customer service.

The first two categories of shoplifters can usually be handled pretty
easily by a store being aware and offering customer service to
everyone that is in the store.  If you are being hit repeatedly by a
group of shoplifters for certain products then you might be victim of
an organized retail theft ring.   

Organized retail theft rings are groups of individuals that travel far
distances stealing large quantities of merchandise from retail
stores.  They steal a variety of items such as batteries, razors, film,
DVDs, CDs, electronics, and designer clothing or fragrances that
can be sold at flea markets, fencing operations, over the Internet,
or at store fronts.

Mike Battles Owner/Manager/Private Investigator for Central Texas
Investigations has resolved multiple cases against Organized Retail
Thefts rings responsible for stealing hundreds of thousands of
dollars worth of merchandise.  We can work to identify the group
that is stealing from you and build a prosecutable case against
them.  Call us or e-mail us with your situation and we will discuss
what plan of action we will take and if we can help you.
Central Texas Investigations
Texas State License A13326
Shoplifting:
Signs of a Shoplifter
  • Shoplifters can be or look
    like anyone. There is no
    description of what a typical
    shoplifter looks like.
  • Shoplifters try to avoid
    employees and walk along
    the outer perimeter of a store
    to hopefully not be seen.
  • Shoplifters working together
    will usually talk on
    cellphones to communicate
    with each other.
  • Shoplifters will select
    merchandise at random
    without looking at sizes or
    prices.
  • Shoplifters will pay more
    attention looking around at
    employees then they do
    looking at the merchandise
    they are around.