I was in Hancocks Fabric at in Dec. waiting at the register when a young woman walked in, went straight to the sewing machine display, picked up a sewing machine and walked right out the store. The manager seemed to be right behind her and shouted I saw you, bring that back, I'm calling the police. The two other employees were older women, so no one was hurrying trying to save the day. The young woman stopped turned around and said go ahead call the police and got into a waiting car and it drove off. It all happened in a few seconds but it seemed like a long time. Now the machines are locked in place on the display.
There are usually no men in fabric/craft stores to instill any thoughts of being stopped by force to the thief. Most middle age to older women employees are not considered a threat to worry about.