Did you know?

During the season of giving, some people may be doing their share of taking as well -- and not always where you might think. Shoplifting is not merely a problem for electronics and clothing retailers. Supermarkets also are targets for those with sticky fingers. The antics of thieves could be contributing to increasing costs of foods and other merchandise. According to a poll released by SodaHead.com, 25 percent of shoppers admit to having stolen from a grocery store, and 36 percent said they tend to "sample" while shopping, with food, candy and gum identified as the items taken most often. Ten percent of respondents said they sample all of the time. Because the majority of shoppers tend to visit stores at least once per week, that provides a number of opportunities for shoplifting. Items stolen from a grocery store tend to be those that are under $20.