(Image source: First Insight)
BY BRICE SANDER
‘Tis the season for sticky fingers. Just in time for holiday shopping, the National Association of Shoplifting Prevention and AdWeek compiled a list of 2011’s most shoplifted items- here’s what tops the list.
Axe deodorant and body washes,
...anything with the Polo Ralph Lauren logo,
...pricy Gillette razors,
...and Nikes all made it into the top 10.
As Gawker put it, the list “...reads like a bad date with a guy who says ‘bro’ a lot.” But The Faster Times says, that’s not the case.
“The list … may come off as a shock if you rely on shoplifting stereotypes, that shoplifters are shady teenagers (Lindsay Lohan!) … The truth is that only 3% of shoplifters are considered ‘professionals,’ 70% did not go into the store determined to shoplift, and 75% of shoplifters are adults, many of whom have jobs.”
Death and Taxes points out a surprising addition to the list- luxury meats, which came in at number one.
“...it’s ... hilarious to picture people shoving high-priced cuts of meat down the front of their jeans. So next time your family gathers for a meal this holiday season, and your uncle keeps bragging about the ‘great deal’ he got on the rack of lamb, you’ll know exactly what he’s talking about.”
The team at New York’s WNYW runs through the possible motivations behind using the five-finger-discount.
TAI HERNANDEZ: “A lot of shoplifting happens at the grocery store and that’s one of the number one places.”
GREG KELLY: “Oh, and you know what? They have no theft protection for the most part- those items aren’t tagged. And you can slip a steak, like, in your jacket pretty easily. It’s flat.”
ROSANNA SCOTTO: “How do you know?”
TAI HERNANDEZ: “Premium liquor, right? You know it’s very expensive and maybe you feel like you’re outraged at the price and you slip one in your bag just ‘cuz.”
TAI HERNANDEZ: “There’s a recent study by a Yale University professor- he said that more than half of all Americans right now are worried they can’t afford the things they would like to get for Christmas.”
And AdWeek suggests retailers should brace themselves for major losses this holiday season.
“...35 percent of losses will happen with the help of a corrupt employee. The scariest part? Shoplifting is up 6 percent compared to 2010--and many experts predict retailers will face record losses by year's end.”
To see a full list of 2011’s most shoplifted items, click the link in our transcript section.
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