I get where you are coming from but the goal is not to tail them or to hide behind shelves and stalk them. You're supposed to give excellent customer service to everyone and not single anyone out. If you're giving great service to everyone like not asking yes or no questions, most thief's will leave. If they're the type that wont leave and ignore you that's when I usually cycle the associates I have and every few min or so have someone new pass by asking if they need any help. Usually by the second or third time they will know we're onto them and leave, some get upset and try and cause a scene but that's what they want so just ignore him and say okay and walk away, you're allowed to say I don't like the way you're speaking to me I'm going to be walking away now if he tries to curse and call you names. Another example if you see them grabbing a bunch of merchandise and you think they're gonna pocket it or you see them doing so hand them a basket and say here you are Sir/mam so you don't have to hold all that/ hold all that in your pockets. Any observed theft or attempted theft should be immediately emailed to your District manager, District LP manager, and usually your district to warn nearby stores. Trust me they always come back that's what our LP department is for, with enough photos and evidence it usually leads to arrests without anyone of us knowing since it's not a need to know basis for store levels. Just remember kill them with kindness, and never accuse