Retailers Navigate Complex Anti-Theft Landscape as Strategies Evolve

Retailers across the United States and Canada are increasingly grappling with rising incidents of theft, prompting the implementation of various strategies to protect merchandise. Walmart, one of the nation’s largest retailers, has been actively adapting its approach to combat losses, particularly focusing on issues arising at self-checkout stations.

In recent reports from stores, inconsistencies in the application of certain anti-theft measures have emerged. Customers and staff have shared observations suggesting that some previously locked display cases for products are now frequently found open. Reports from various locations indicate that doors on glass cases, where items are typically secured, have been wide open, with some users noting that shelves have been consistently unlocked for a period.

Reasons cited for the unlocked cases vary, according to comments attributed to staff and customers. Some suggest mechanical issues, such as faulty buttons on the cases, contribute to the change. Others point to staffing challenges, with employees reportedly exhausted from constantly opening cases, especially in stores where only one set of keys might be available for the entire store. Some speculation suggests the change could be part of a corporate test to assess whether potential theft losses are offset by increased sales due to easier access.

This perceived shift in security measures has drawn reactions from shoppers. Some customers have expressed frustration with the overall process of locked merchandise, with one user stating, “I, as a customer, have given up.” The practice of locking up even low-value items, such as $1.12 facial wipes, has also been criticized by customers who argue that the inconvenience outweighs the potential loss prevented.

Beyond locked cases, Walmart has explored other physical deterrents. Reports from Louisiana described steaks wrapped in steel wire cages as part of an earlier effort to secure high-theft items like meat. More broadly, retailers have rolled out security pegs, security cameras, warning signs, receipt scanners, receipt checks, and shopping carts equipped with locking technology.

The challenge of theft extends to the human element, as reports highlight the use of plainclothes loss prevention workers, sometimes referred to as “floorwalkers.” One individual, who identified as a former Walmart floorwalker, shared experiences of feeling closely watched by multiple suspected workers while shopping with his children, noting he was also stopped at the door to show his receipt. Other shoppers have echoed similar sentiments about feeling profiled or followed.

In response to ongoing theft challenges, including creative methods observed at self-checkouts, Walmart is also turning to advanced technology. The company is implementing a new system utilizing AI and RFID technology. This system involves embedding RFID tags in products that interact with sensors at self-checkout to ensure items are scanned. AI-powered cameras are also intended to monitor activity in real time to identify suspicious behavior.

Furthermore, the retailer is introducing invisible barcodes embedded in the packaging design of some own-label products. These codes, while not visible to the naked eye, can be read by scanners, aiming to improve accuracy and detect items not properly scanned. Walmart has stated this technology focuses on transactions and does not involve collecting personal data.

Other major retailers are also adapting their strategies. Target has reportedly removed self-checkout lanes from all its stores. Sam’s Club is phasing out traditional self-checkouts in favor of AI technology that allows customers to scan items via an app and verify purchases upon exit using AI and computer vision. Walgreens, which has placed many products behind glass, has reportedly found that the practice has not reduced theft and has negatively impacted sales. Costco continues to employ staff at exits to verify purchases against receipts.

Retailers’ combination of adjusting physical security measures, deploying personnel like floorwalkers, and investing in new technologies like AI, RFID, and invisible barcodes reflects the evolving nature of retail theft prevention. The ongoing efforts demonstrate the industry’s search for effective solutions that balance security needs with maintaining a functional shopping experience for customers.

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