WALMART’S mission to tackle theft has seen a shopper reluctantly go elsewhere after a nightmare experience in the makeup aisle.
One of the most controversial anti-theft measures being rolled out at several major retailers has seen stores accused of “surrendering to shoplifters” as they place items under lock and key.
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Now, one shopper has ditched Walmart altogether as a result of the measure and is urging others to follow suit.
‘NEVER AGAIN’
“I will never shop at @Walmart again. They LOCK UP everything in beauty/ hygiene section,” she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“Never again. You have to wait for someone to unlock the cabinet to purchase. It’s a damn shame.
“Ordering online is best anyway. In-person shopping is overrated. Go @amazon!”
The retailer replied by saying it would “look into” the issue.
She is not the only shopper of that opinion with another saying “That would keep me from ever shopping,” in response to pictures of locked-up items in Walmart from another post.
“Imagine needing assistance just to get deodorant,” another shocked shopper said as a third called the process “a headache.”
The move by various Walmart stores comes after the nation’s largest retailer lost over $6.5 billion last year purely as a result of theft.
Concerns of theft have even seen some Walmart stores put pens, shaving cream, and energy drinks behind locked cabinets.
The same action carried out by Target has seen customers leave “empty-handed” and heavily criticize the measure as innocent customers are punished and made to feel like criminals.
However, shoppers can expect to keep experiencing changes as retailers continue their battle against shoplifting.
SELF-CHECKOUT DILEMMA
Walmart recently announced that select stores will no longer have self-checkouts and will return to traditional cashier-ran registers.
While the retailer said that this is to increase efficiency and improve customer experience, recent data shows the negative impact self-checkouts have on theft levels.
Data from a recent survey conducted by LendingTree shows that 15% of shoppers who used self-checkout intentionally stole at least one item while using the machines.
Meanwhile, 44% of these people said they would do so again.
Almost 70% of all those who took part in the survey said they believe that self-checkouts make shoplifting much easier.
Anti-theft measures rolled out by retailers
Retailers across the US and Canada have rolled out strategies designed to combat theft. The U.S. Sun has compiled a list of measures that have been implemented at stores.
- Locking items in cabinets.
- Security pegs.
- Security cameras.
- Signs warning about the impact of theft.
- Receipt scanners.
- Receipt checks.
- Carts with locking technology
As statistics seem to support the removal of self-checkouts to improve theft levels, a proposed law in California may see retailers scrap the machines altogether or be forced to shell out more money.
BILL SB 1446
Bill SB 1446 proposes to regulate self-checkouts and reduce theft by introducing five requirements for retailers wishing to use the machines.
This includes a maximum of 10 items, at least one cashier register open, and no alcohol or tobacco sales at the self-service machines.
It also proposes that one worker oversees a maximum of two machines at once and that these employees have no other duties to perform while doing so.
Those against the bill including the California Chamber of Commerce, have raised concerns about the impact it will have on businesses running on small margins such as grocery stores.
“When you’re having to make these drastic adjustments or adjust staffing ratios, that can be a big cost impact,” Ashley Hoffman, a senior policy advocate for the chamber told ABC News affiliate KGO.
The U.S. Sun has contacted Walmart for comment regarding its practice of locking up items.
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