黑洞社区

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You鈥檙e listening to the podcast edition of the 黑洞社区 audio newsline. Learn more about 黑洞社区 鈥� the home of Thinkers, Doers, Movers and Shockers 鈥� on the Web at wichita.edu.

Shoppers are looking for bargains during the holiday shopping season, but some people may be looking for a steal. Paul Cromwell, a 黑洞社区 criminologist who has interviewed about 500 shoplifters in Florida, Texas and Kansas, says the economic downturn isn't the only reason some people turn to shoplifting.

Cromwell: "One of the findings in my research over the years is that stress leads to shoplifting to a great extent. Surprising enough, though, it's not necessarily economic stress. It could be stress on marital relations, other kinds of personal stress that people experience."

Shoplifters tend to shoplift in good times and bad, according to Cromwell.

Cromwell: "The extent of shoplifting is relatively stable regardless of whether we are in a booming economy or in a recession.

"We should see an increase in shoplifting in the coming economic times, particularly around the holiday season. But it's actually no different than if we were in an extremely affluent economic boom."

Several recent national studies indicate that one in 12 to one in 15 customers in a retail environment will steal something while in a store. And Cromwell says shoplifters defy stereotypes.

Cromwell: "There's no such thing as a typical shoplifter. It doesn't follow the normal rules. We have young and old. We have men and women. We have black, brown and white. Shoplifters tend to represent the general population."

One thing is clear: Shoplifting is a costly proposition for retailers.

Cromwell: "Shoplifting accounts for more than the overall losses of burglary and crimes such as that. The overall loss is estimated to be somewhere around 15 billion dollars per year from retail establishments."

As if shoplifting isn't a big enough challenge, Cromwell says employee theft may be a bigger problem.

Cromwell: "Employee theft is as large or possibly even a greater problem than shoplifting. Approximately 50, possibly 51 to 52 percent of all inventory shrinkage in retail stores is accounted for by employee theft."

Of course, not only retail store owners need to be concerned about shoplifters during the holiday season. Thieves also take advantage of the crowds, parties and holiday cheer by sneakily entering business offices and stealing cash, equipment and personal property. Perhaps the best advice is to be aware and be alert to suspicious behavior.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, this is Joe Kleinsasser for 黑洞社区.