Shoplifting at Exchange costs military in many ways 

photo credit: flickr

Shoplifting and fraud will cost U.S. retailers $8.9 billion over the holiday season, according to the Centre for Retail Research. That figure includes $3.8 billion through shoplifting, $4.7 billion through employee theft, and $400 million through vendor and distribution losses. 

The "Shoplifting for Christmas 2012" report also revealed the product categories most likely to be stolen over the holiday shopping season to be as follows:

1. Alcohol

2. Women's clothing and fashion accessories

3. Toys

4. Perfume and health and beauty gift packs

5. Electronic devices such as smartphones and tablet computers, toiletries for men

6. DVD gift sets and game consoles

7. Food and Christmas decorations

8. Electrical goods including hardware and/or do-it-yourself products

9. Watches and jewelry

10. Chocolates and confectionery.