One of the major concerns of retail malls is "Shoplifting". Shoplifters use different shoplifting techniques for the theft. It is done deliberately with the intention of robbing the possessor for that particular piece of property that has been stolen from the retail establishment. Another term used for shoplifting is-Retail Theft. It is considered as crime and could lead to even jail term and legal action for the shoplifter. Police and courts consider it as one the most common crimes. Shoplifters by and large are categorized in two categories- professional and non-professional. Professional shoplifters even make their living from shoplifting, they operate either individually or in groups, some do it only for pleasure. Malls are easy targets and favourite destination for shoplifters. Different types of people who do shoplifting are as follows:-

1) ADDICTIVE SHOPLIFTERS

Such shoplifters are somewhat neurotic in nature. They do shoplifting just to loose out their repressed negative emotions like anger or frustration. They are also found to be addicted to certain things such as drugs, shopping, drinking, overeating, gambling, etc. They generally indulge in this crime for others and have careless attitude towards themselves. They have the tendency of being emotional and crying when caught stealing.

2) PROFESSIONAL SHOPLIFTERS
Professional shoplifters generally work in groups or independently. They steal generally expensive items and many items in one time. They may carry specialized props for the shoplifting purpose. They try to avoid arrests and if caught red-handed would show no emotion or loud reaction but instead remain cool and calm.

3) THE NEEDY SHOPLIFTERS
There are certain people who steals because of their lack of resources. Their preference is generally for items of basic necessities like food, toiletries, diapers, etc. They usually have poor hygiene and dress sense. When they are caught they show reactions of guilt and shame and blame the system for their poverty and frustration.

4) THE THRILL SEEKING SHOPLIFTERS
Such shoplifters generally do shoplifting in groups. The age group of such shoplifters is- teenagers and housewives. They steal to satisfy their urge of thrill and excitement, they get a sense of victory when they do so.

5) SHOPLIFTERS WHO ARE DRUG ADDICTS
They steal to pay for their drugs. Such shoplifters opt for high-end expensive items and thieve multiple items at one time. From their appearance one can make out that they suffer from some kind of substance abuse. Whereas they are not professionals but if confronted would run away from the store.
Kleptomaniacs are people with mental disorder. They steal for no reason or need. The items they steal are of generally no use to them and the things they do not require for example- clothes that do no fit them. When caught shows indifferent behaviour and give reason that they don't even remember what they stole and why they did that.

6) THE ABSENT MINDED SHOPLIFTERS
Sometimes people don't do it deliberately, either they are in a hurry or due to effect of some medicines or any other reason have memory loss do it and forget to pay for the item.

These were certain categories of shoplifters segmented according to their reasons for shoplifting. However there are certain psychological reasons also under the influence of which they commit this crime.

1) Temptation

Most of the people have inside them the desire of getting something more than the basic needs that is desire for luxury items. The basic desire is to get something extra without giving something in return for it. It could be termed as "to procure something for nothing". This is the reason people like to receive gifts and shop in sale or bargain.
But our social structure of society has made rules and regulations of avoiding the urge to get something without giving something in return. When a person breaks this rule feelings of guilt, punishment and sin are about to happen. If the shoplifting done does not hurt any other person and no one knows about the deed, the shoplifter does not get feelings of guilt and moral fear. As a result fear of punishment is eliminated.

2) Justification

Most of the shoplifters do not consider themselves to be criminals and shoplifting as crime. Generally in order to justify their act they frame their own set of values that suit their act. They justify themselves that shoplifting from a store is not a big deal, and there is nothing wrong in it. They must rationalize that the act of taking merchandise will not really hurt anyone. Usually they try to give justification to themselves that their act does not hurt anyone, and when shoplifting is done due to some emotional reason the logic behind the justification is less logical, for example people under stress have irrational justification. Some of the common justifications for shoplifting by the shoplifters are as follows:-

"One will miss the things I took."

"It is ok to shoplift sometimes as I have also give much money in the past for my purchases."

"The queue for the billing is very long and I don't have much time for it."

"Retailer has put the price quite high than the normal prices."

"There are many people unlike me who shoplift."

"It is my right to possess good things and it is not necessary that I pay for it everytime."

The above list justifications are just the tip of the iceberg of excuses shoplifters give for stealing.

3) Motivation

If there is no appropriate motivation shoplifting does not happen. Motivation leads to action. The primary motivation for stealing is that no one is watching them and they are not hurting anyone and this act of them will not lead to negative result. They are under the impression that the retail store can easily afford the loss due to shoplifting and thus their stealing has no effect on the shopkeeper and society. Also believe that it is a harmless activity.

Recognize the Shoplifter

Shoplifters could be of various age, races or backgrounds. Therefore there is no typical signs of spotting the shoplifter, but certain signs could be looked out for to spot them:-

.. They spend less time for shopping and more time observing the cashier or salesman.
.Their dressings is huge and wear heavy clothes like blazer or overcoat even when it is hot.
.Watch out for their body language that is they tend to walk awkwardly with short steps which denotes that, they are trying to hide something.
.They take many items in the trial room and when they come out have only one item with them.
.Sometimes such people become too self-conscious and nervous. They shop without interest and pick up the items randomly.
.There visit to the shop is quite frequent but do not make any purchases.
.Sometimes shoplifters enter the store/mall in groups especially the teenagers. One of them strikes heated conversation without any relevance in order to distract attention from other members of their group.

Preventive Steps for Shoplifting

Retailers now-a-days use different technologies to prevent shoplifting. In larger malls video cameras are spread across the whole mall also undercover sales person posing as customers are employed to keep out a watch on suspected customers. Also computer chips are fixed on the items which is not visible to customers and if somebody steals leaves the store without billing it raises alarms at the exit doors. Some of the preventive measures which are used in order to curb shoplifting are as

a) Closed Circuit Television
It is the one of the most common method of preventing shoplifting. Here closed circuit television is installed for the security officer where he can observe the happenings inside the store.

b) Covert Closed Circuit TV Cameras
Covert cameras are the latest invention to prevent loss or theft. These cameras are very small in size, could be easily removed from one place to another. Generally they cannot be spotted by an average customer or sales staff also.

c) S.R. NO.
To give serial numbers to items is done by large retailers. This method makes easy to keep record of what items have been stolen and track down the merchandise if brought back by the police.

d) Electronic Screening of the item
In this method security tags are attached to the garment and when the customer leaves the store without screening of the garment it raises alarm at the exit. This is also one of the most popular method to prevent shoplifting.

e) Electronic Journals
This method is used generally by most of the big retailers and malls. Electronic journal keeps the record of all transactions of the store. It keeps the track record of information such as refunds, credit card details, billing details, numbers of the gift card, etc. This measure also helps in keeping a check over the shoplifting also.

f) Dual- way radio sets
It is the one of the most common devices used by department of loss prevention. It helps two- man teams to follow the suspected customer and call for help in case a shoplifter is caught.

g) Ink filled Tags
It is one of the oldest preventive measure used by garment retailers. Specialized equipment is required to remove the ink tags from the garment .If they are removed forcibly would spill permanent ink on the garment thus spoiling it. Thus makes easy to spot that the garment was being stolen by the customer.

h) Dual Resonator Electronic Stickers
These stickers are generally attached to small items like medicines, toothbrushes, etc. The stickers are printed on a thin piece of paper and are not easy to remove. The sticker contain company's logo.

i) Money Back Cheques
This method keeps a check on the suspected customers who come for refund for an item purchased without the receipt. If the customer returns back the item he/she will not get cash in return but would receive the cheque in the mail. If the customer is a fraud he/she will not ring up the store to enquire about the not receiving their cheque through the mail.

j) Other Methods
The store should be designed such that the shopkeeper could see the various activities going on in the store. The counters should be constructed low uptil waist height. Place mirrors in corners. The expensive items should be placed in the center area of the store and far from the exit. Smaller items should be displayed in patterns and neatly. The retailers should announce their policy for prosecution for shoplifters.