National Evaluation Program - Phase I Assessment of Shoplifting and Employee Theft Programs - Summary Report

• NCJ Number: 76688
• Author(s): L Bickman; D P Rosenbaum; T L Baumer; M R Kudel; C Christenholz; S L Knight; W T Perkowitz; M Everett; L SmithBickman L
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 65 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-022-78
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: Westinghouse Evaluation Institute
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Findings and recommendations are reported from a national evaluation of programs and strategies designed to combat shoplifting and employee theft.

Abstract

Data were collected from retail businesses, national and State retail associations, local community and business organizations, educational institutions, and components of the criminal justice system. From a pool of existing programs, a sample of 22 programs was chosen. Site visits and intense data collection efforts focused on these programs. Results indicated that the total direct cost of shoplifting is between $2 billion and $3 billion annually. From 2 percent to 10 percent of customers are estimated to steal. Losses from employee theft are estimated to be even greater than those from shoplifting. Some evidence indicates that as many as half of all retail employees steal at some time from their employers. Antitheft strategies may focus on identifying the potential offender; changing the environmental design through both physical and psychological barriers; and instituting retail auditing programs, staff training programs, and theft reporting programs. Other approaches include closed circuit television surveillance, electronic article surveillance, preemployment screening, education of the public, and use of the criminal justice system. Although shoplifting and employee theft are major problems, measurement of the problem is inadequate and the relative effectiveness of current strategies is unknown. Thus, accurate measures should be developed, further research should be conducted, and scientifically acceptable evaluations of antitheft strategies should be conducted. In addition, an interface between government and the retail community should be developed, and research and evaluation on the impact of use of the criminal justice system should be conducted. A flowchart and an appendix discussing measurement problems and issues are provided.