Britney Spears and Megan Fox are not alone: Shoplifting is more common than you think

Megan Fox is one of the several A-list celebrities who have reportedly admitted to, or being accused of, shopliftingPhoto byDOANE GREGORY/20TH CENTURY FOX

The Complex Reality of Shoplifting: Insights and Trends

Shoplifting isn’t just a problem of the poor or the rebellious; it's a behavior that crosses various demographics, including high-profile figures like Britney Spears, Megan Fox, and Winona Ryder. These celebrities have faced accusations of theft, but they represent just a fraction of a broader trend.

According to a recent survey by LendingTree, nearly 25% of American adults have shoplifted at some point in their lives. Alarmingly, about 5% of consumers have engaged in shoplifting within the past year alone.

Understanding the Motivations Behind Shoplifting

Britney Spears reportedly walked out of a gas station with a 1.39$ lighter in 2007, quipping ''Oh, I'm bad, ''to the assembled paparazzi outPhoto byGallery Books

Shoplifting is a multifaceted issue. Reasons for stealing can range from economic hardship to personal thrill-seeking. Matt Schulz, LendingTree’s chief credit analyst, notes that shoplifting motivations are diverse. Some people, often younger individuals, may steal as a form of rebellion or curiosity. Others might do so out of financial desperation.

Recent Survey Findings

The LendingTree survey reveals several key insights:

- Economic Factors: A significant number of recent shoplifters (90%) attribute their actions to inflation and economic struggles.

- Retail Preferences: Shoplifters tend to target larger chain stores (52%) more than smaller, independent shops (28%).

- Likelihood of Getting Caught: Nearly 50% of shoplifters report having been caught.

- Commonly Stolen Items: Contrary to what might be expected, the most frequently stolen items are food and non-alcoholic drinks, rather than high-value goods.

Schulz points out that most shoplifted items are everyday necessities, rather than luxury items.

The Impact of Self-Checkout Technology

Self-checkout systems have made stealing easier for some. A previous survey revealed that 69% of shoppers believe these systems facilitate theft, and 15% admitted to shoplifting at self-checkout stations. This ease of theft has led several major retailers, like Target and Dollar General, to reconsider or scale back their use of self-checkout lanes.

The Broader Theft Landscape

The National Retail Federation reports that "shrink"—a term encompassing both shoplifting and employee theft—resulted in $112 billion in retail losses in 2022, up from $94 billion the previous year. The Council on Criminal Justice notes that while property crimes, including shoplifting, dipped during the pandemic, they surged again in 2022 and 2023 as shopping returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Understanding Different Motivations

Not all shoplifting is driven by financial need. For instance:

- Britney Spears was reportedly caught with a $1.39 lighter in 2007, making light of the situation.

- Megan Fox admitted to being banned from a Walmart for stealing cosmetics as a teenager.

- Winona Ryder was infamously arrested in 2001 for shoplifting thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from Saks Fifth Avenue.

Terrence Shulman, founder of the Shulman Center for Compulsive Theft, Spending, and Hoarding, suggests that many shoplifters are surprisingly ordinary and might act out due to a range of psychological issues, including anger, grief, or depression. Often, the items stolen are trivial and not of significant value.

The Consequences and Addictive Nature of Shoplifting

Shoplifting can become an addictive behavior, similar to gambling, with severe consequences. In some states, even minor thefts can lead to serious legal repercussions, such as imprisonment for stealing a cellphone.

Shulman advises those who have shoplifted to reflect on their actions. Understanding the underlying reasons for such behavior can be crucial in addressing and preventing future incidents.