While it's impossible to give an infallible rule of thumb, experience has shown that Juveniles and professionals tend to work in groups, while the impulse shoplifter is a loner. Working in a group, the shoplifter may use confederates to be concealed. One member of the gang may also distract sales help while the thieves do their work. Gang members may also start an argument with store personnel or among themselves, or even feign a fainting spell to draw attention, giving a cohort the opportunity to steal merchandise from another part of the store. Shoplifters don't like crowds.
Shoplifters also have their own arsenal of professional tools.
Even an oversized arm sling can help the shoplifter conceal merchandise. Specially-constructed devices such as coats or capes with hidden pockets and zippered hiding places are useful to the more experienced shoplifter. Booster boxes may be gift-wrapped to frustrate Detection. Unsupervised dressing rooms offer excellent opportunities for theft. Shoplifters may simply pile on of pilfered clothing, or they may exchange few items for the clothes they were wearing and return the originals to the rack.