Looking through some of the earlier newspapers in the British Newspaper Archive I just found this report of a theft at Coldingham in 1740. It was reported in the Caledonian Mercury of 5 February 1741.
Whereas upon Friday Night betwixt the 19th and 20th of December last, the Shop of Thomas Anderson Merchant in Coldingham was broke, and the following Merchant Goods, viz. English Chacks, Cotton Napkins, Stockings and Cambricks of several sorts, Linnen, Blue, Green and Brown Camblet Stuffs, and a great many other Goods and Ware of Considerable Value, and 20 L. Sterl. In Cash, with a Pocket-book and 10 L. In Bank Notes, and several Papers and Accompts therein, stoln [sic] out of the said Shop; Whoever will discover the Person or Persons guilty of the said Theft, or Art and Part therein, in as he, she or they be thereof lawfully convicted, such Person is hereby entitled to, and shall receive from the said Thomas Anderson a Reward of Four Guineas; And any Person who will inform where the said Goods, Money or Notes, or any Parcel of the said Goods, are lodged, shall receive Two Guineas Reward, and no Questions asked.
At this time “merchant” in Scotland could mean an importer/exporter, but more usually meant a small shopkeeper. Often they sold a variety of goods: cloths, everyday items such as buttons, tea and sugar etc. But in this case it looks as though Thomas Anderson in Coldingham may have specialised more than usual.
Coldingham One-Place Study 