Shoplifting (also known as retail theft) is theft of merchandise for sale in a shop, store, or other retail establishment, by an ostensible patron. It is one of the most common crimes that police and the courts deal with.

Most shoplifters are amateurs; however, there are people and groups who make their living from shoplifting, and they tend to be more skilled. Some individuals shoplift in an effort to resist selling their labor, and/or to protest corporate power. These individuals target --often exclusively-- chain stores; Wal-Mart is an especially popular target for political shoplifters.

A common slang term for shoplifting in Australia, Britain, and the United States is "five-finger discount". In the U.S., it is often referred to as "jacking" or "stealing"; those who sell shoplifted goods (at a steep discount) are referred to as "shoplifters." Professional shoplifters or organized shoplifting groups are often referred
to as "boosters."

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Title: Shop Lifting
Approximate Word Count: 3107
Approximate Pages: 13 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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