Contrary to the stereotype, shoplifters come from all walks of life and range from the well-to-do to the homeless.
This is something that I stress in my Shoplift Prevention Training Seminars. It is important to remember that most shoplifters look just like you and I. Shoplifters can be male or female: young or old: dressed in business suits or in raggedy jeans. Often professional shoplifters will dress up. Therefore it is important to remember that you cannot pick out a shoplifter simply by their appearance, their ethnic background, or their social economic background. By only focusing on one specific group or characteristic, you may be mistakenly missing a shoplifting incident occurring right in front of you.
