FIRST, IT SHOWS THAT THE COST ($10 MILLION A DAY NATIONALLY) IS PASSED ON TO EVERYONE IN A 10-15 PERCENT MARKUP ON THE PRICES WE PAY. IT THEN DRAMATIZES TYPICAL SITUATIONS TO ILLUSTRATE HOW INCREASINGLY EFFECTIVE SURVEILLANCE AND OTHER TECHNIQUES MEAN THE SHOPLIFTER IS OPERATING AGAINST GROWING ODDS. FINALLY, THE FILM EMPHASIZES THAT SHOPLIFTING IS A SERIOUS CRIME PUNISHABLE BY LAW AND SHOWS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A SHOPLIFTER IS APPREHENDED AND BOOKED, RESULTING IN A POLICE RECORD THAT AFFECTS A PERSON'S WHOLE LIFE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)