The five-finger discount.

Shoplifting is a $4-billion headache for Canada's retailers. That's the value of the goods that disappear from store shelves but never pass through a cash register. Retailers call it shrinkage, and it includes goods stolen by employees and customers, as well as supplier fraud and administrative errors. Studies show that 52% of the shrinkage is caused by light-fingered shoppers and 25% is employee theft. And, despite the millions speht on security guards, ink-gushing garment tags, video cameras, one-way mirrors, and other anti-theft devices, the probtem is growing. Losses in 1995 amounted to 1.96% of total sales, up from 1.84% a year earlier, and from 1.28% in 1989. And the crooks are getting bolder. "Ram raiders" crash their car (already stolen) through store windows, load up the vehicle with merchandise and make their getaway. Ram raiders usually wait until after closing time, but other gangs operate in daylight. Five or six will work a store together. They arrive separately, and while some gang members distract the sales staff, the others make off with armloads of merchandise.

But, most of the five-finger discounters work alone, and, often are not career criminals. For some, it's just a lark. Others steal to maintain a lifestyle higher than their income will support; they rationalize it by convincing themselves nobody gets hurt: "They'll get it back from their insurance." Still others shoplift for deep emotional reasons; psychiatrists say many shoplifters subconsciously hope to get caught and that their crime is really a cry for help. More than 90% of shoplifters are amateurs.

But, if you are contemplating a career in shoplifting, the future might not be so bright. Smart tags are being introduced. These are security devices that are built right into a product. They are concealed and next-to-impossible to remove. Anybody leaving a store with smarttagged goods that haven't been paid for will set off an alarm.