Shoplifters, it appears, are a problem in our retail stores, especially our supermarkets.

When shoplifters steal from retailers, they are also hurting other customers because in the long run, those selling the goods have to cover the cost of not only the lost items, but also the successful prosecution of the criminal.

Everyone pays for shoplifting - businessmen suffer lower profits and consumers ultimately pay higher prices. More importantly, shoplifting is stealing and stealing is a criminal act.

Theft of a $2 item from a store operating on a 10 per cent profit margin requires the sale of $20 in merchandise to make up for the loss. Supermarkets and others operating on low margins of 1 per cent must sell $300 in merchandise, just to cover the cost of a $3 item.

It’s probably a safe bet that most of the shoplifters in the Cayman Islands aren’t professionals - they don’t do it for a living and they don’t use force or intimidation.

Those people are dubbed robbers.

There are many methods to shoplifting where thieves can work in groups of two or more to distract sales staff while they pilfer.

They also tend to take advantage of busy stores during peak hours.

With Christmas holidays knocking at our door, retailers would do well to ensure their employees know how to spot and thwart shoplifters.

Unfortunately thieves come in all ages, races and backgrounds.

All retailers that catch shoplifters should insist that they are arrested and prosecuted.

While it is a costly venture, shops that don’t report shoplifters become known as being soft on those who commit the crimes and open themselves up to even more abuse, which means even more money out of the retailer’s coffers.

Employees and other shoppers can also help foil shoplifters by keeping an eye out for people who act suspiciously by spending more time loitering around the store than actually shopping, carrying large bags or wearing bulky clothing to conceal stolen items.

Retailers should also be aware of large groups entering the store at one time, especially juveniles.

Shoplifting is a crime in the Cayman Islands and unfortunately it does occur.

Those caught should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The message needs to be that shoplifting won’t be tolerated.