Dorothy Tucker, owner of KidStuff talks about the several hundred-dollar theft in her shop on Wednesday.

KidStuff​ owner Dorothy Tucker wants the man who stole a large amount of children's clothing from her store on Wednesday to be brought to justice.

Tucker estimated clothes stolen from the store, on Stafford St in Timaru's central business district, to be worth more than $300. She said the culprit entered the store about 3.30pm.

"He's come in and distracted our staff member, asking for things for his granddaughters.

MYTCHALL BRANSGROVE/STUFF KidStuff owner Dorothy Tucker estimated this man stole more than $300 worth of children's clothing from her store.

"He's come in and stuffed [the items] into his jacket and taken off with them.

"It's all good quality clothing that he's taken for his so-called three-year-old granddaughter."

Tucker wants justice to be done and has released video footage.

MYTCHALL BRANSGROVE/STUFF Dorothy Tucker said she wants locals and anybody who knows the man who stole children's clothing, like pictured in the photo, to notify the police.

"It's not fair for people to come in and help themselves because we work hard as retailers to bring the products to people, and for him to come in and think he can just steal it is not okay.

"He was busy stealing as we were just walking about the shop.

"All three staff members were here so it's not like he was unsupervised.

"We just need the support of people out there to help us identify him."

Tucker said the man seemed friendly.

"He was real clever. He knew what he was doing."

Tucker said shoplifting from her store isn't common. The shop has security footage placed throughout the store.

"We had staff in attendance with him serving him ... my husband was in here as well.

"He even got his phone out to show a picture of his grandchildren ... making friendly conversation and building a relationship, so really it's just a warning out to other people that you can't really trust anybody.

"He's obviously a professional, he's good at what he does."

Tucker said she wants locals and anybody who knows the man to notify the police.

"He needs to be found and prosecuted, and have to pay for what he's taken because it's quite a bit of value for us to be stolen from."

Police spokesman Gareth Thomas said police received a report of a theft from the store on Stafford St on Wednesday.

Thomas said police would be assessing and following up the case.