백화점 상점절도범의 특성에 관한 연구

Abstract

Retail shoplifting is an anti-social act that distorts economic trends, affects the will to work negatively, and microscopically, harms both consumers and retailers. With the limited influence of public authority, preventive measures for retail shoplifting in the department store industry has become an area of interest for private security. This research aimed to offer valuable information for department store owners and the private security industry by analyzing the characteristics of shoplifting cases, thus helping to develop and implement rational and effective countermeasure against the crime. Specifically, 191 cases of retail shoplifting committed by 107 individuals in Seoul metropolitan areas were examined. In addition, interviews with case officers, security guards, shop managers, and shoplifters were conducted and supplemented the analyses. The vast majority of the offenders were female of varying age groups. To illustrate, a parabolic relationship was found between age and offending behavior, with the number increasing from the individuals in their 20s to 50s, and decreasing from the age group of 60s. Moreover, housewives and the unemployed comprised the majority of the offender sample. The results showed that most of shoplifting cases were committed on weekends and holidays. On the other hand, earlier days in the week, Mondays and Tuesdays each constituted small part of the sample. As for time of day, over 70 percent of the cases happened during the hours between 12pm and 5pm, with the highest concentration found between 12pm and 1pm. Additionally, clothes, cosmetics, and shoes, accessories and others were shown to be the main targets of shoplifting. Furthermore, it was found that the items were stolen in situations in which other customer(s) were attended to the level of store monitoring was low, the shop was crowded with customers, and the clerk(s) were absent. Moreover, as for place of concealment, shopping bags, hand bags, and a simple hand-carrying method were used. Finally, over 20 percent of the offender sample reported shoplifting more than twice in a day.