My friend recently was caught shoplifting an item of cosmetics worth approx. £5 in boots (UK) store... she saw the security man on the gate so she quietly put the item back. But they banned her from that particular store.
She has for sure done it for the first time. She lives with her uncle's family on student visa and so scared to tell anyone about it as they might not be the same with her. Her family usually takes her to that store and she does not want to tell them about it too.
There was no police involved and no fine was asked too as the item was not taken out of the store. But will she be criminally convicted for this act. They just took her house address and took her signature on the banning letter. They said that she will also receive a copy of banning letter at her house but it has been a month since that day and she is worried about that why is it taking so long for them to send the letter. Is that a normal procedure or is there anything she should be worrying about.
She is also worried as she is on a student visa, that might be a problem for her in future to find a job.
Please she needs help at the moment as she is a changed person now. I will really appreciate you can help her out.

Shoplifting is a criminal offense, a minor one, but still a crime. If one is prosecuted and convicted it will go on their permanent record.

However, it appears that your friend was never even arrested, so other than being banned from that store, I doubt if anything more will happen.