What does the term 'opportunist theft' refer to in retail?

The term 'opportunist theft' in retail refers to theft that is committed spontaneously and often in response to immediate circumstances rather than being planned in advance. This type of theft typically occurs when an individual sees an opportunity to steal something valuable and takes advantage of that moment, often driven by a lack of forethought or premeditation. For instance, a shopper may seize a moment when they believe store staff is distracted to take an item without paying, reflecting the impulsive nature of opportunist theft.

In this context, the essence of opportunist theft is the situational impulse to commit theft without previous planning. This differentiates it from theft that involves extensive planning or forethought, which would not align with the definition of opportunist behavior. Additionally, opportunist theft can occur across various retail environments, involving any person, including customers, and does not specifically pertain to employee actions or digital goods, which are distinct categories of theft.