Klemke provides an up-to-date review and analysis of the research and theoretical work on shoplifting. The analysis is structured by the three questions which dominate the sociology of deviance literature: (1) Who shoplifts and how do they do it? (the descriptive question), (2) why do they shoplift? (the etiological question), and (3) how do store personnel and the legal system deal with shoplifters? (the prevention/deterrence/labeling question). The author identifies the areas where consensus and confidence already exist in the research on shoplifting, then specifies the gaps in our knowledge, as well as areas of controversy and debate that continue to perplex students of the phenomenon.