Use of online information and suitability of target in shoplifting: A routine activity based analysis

Shoplifting is the largest contributor to inventory depletion in the US retail sector. To effectively mitigate and prevent such criminal activity, one needs to understand the shoplifter's perspectives on the suitability of the retail products targeted for shoplifting. Extending Routine Activity Theory (RAT) from criminology literature to include usefulness of online information, we analyze shoplifters' perceptions regarding future target suitability by considering a retail item's value, inertia, visibility, and accessibility (VIVA). We also examine how online information about a target's disposal and guardianship can influence shoplifters' decisions. In this paper, the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method was used to analyze data collected in the Western New York area over a one-year period. The results show positive effects of value and reverse inertia on target suitability. Interestingly, the relationship between target suitability and the usefulness of online information about post-shoplifting disposal activity was negative. Implications for future research and practical applications for shoplifting prevention are discussed.