Text

theses

In 2011, shoplifting accounted for over $50 billion in costs to retailers. It has been estimated that, in 2012, stores had to “mark-up” the price of products by 10 to 15 percent to make up for losses. Thus, shoplifting is a burden paid for by stores and honest customers. Shoplifting is an opportunistic crime and shoplifters are attracted to expensive and luxurious products. However, there is a good deal of theft of lower-priced and everyday” products known as fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). FMCG are found in drug, grocery and supermarket stores. Some examples of FMCG are toothpaste, razors, vitamins, deodorants, and cosmetics. Although these products are relatively inexpensive, they are purchased, consumed and shoplifted more than other products because of their nature and purpose. Their total dollar values of theft easily surpass other, less-frequently stolen but luxurious products. They are also the main products to be shoplifted and resold at illicit markets. A large amount of FMCG shoplifting is motivated by illicit market demand. Certain products are preferred over others because of their attributes. Models of theft preferences (e.g., CRAVED) have proven effective promise in explaining variation in general theft. To better understand variation in product theft, this study tests CRAVED the general model of theft preferences, and a new model of theft preferences – AT CUT PRICES – which is based on disposability attributes. This study produced three main findings: 1) CRAVED explained variation in FMCG theft better than the new, theoretical AT CUT PRICES model; 2) The availability and size of products were the strongest 4 predictors of theft in both models; and 3) An exploratory analysis found some evidence that some products, having roles or function in illicit drug use, are stolen at high rates. There are theoretical and policy implications derived from this research, including: 1) Designing and manufacturing products and their packaging so they are difficult to conceal; 2) Notifying stores to be aware of which products are stolen for their drug properties, so they can safeguard them appropriately; and 3) Informing stores and government agencies of the nature and extent of theft for commonly-abused nonprescription drugs.

ETD_4528

Ph.D.

Includes bibliographical references

Includes vita

by Brian Thomas Smith

http://hdl.rutgers.edu/1782.1/rucore10002600001.ETD.000068782

doi:10.7282/T3QF8RHZ

ETD doctoral

The author owns the copyright to this work.