Shoplifting is an issue that affects virtually every store out there. It’s a common enough occurrence, and not every retailer has the tools to stop it — especially small businesses.
But in a video shared by a Walmart employee, they show off one device used to monitor one of the store’s high-theft areas: the self-checkout. The reaction they got, however, might not have been what they were expecting.
A TikTok video uploaded by an anonymous Walmart employee has some news for would-be thieves
In a clip that’s now racked up over 10 million views and 600,000 likes, a user named @thewalmartguy69 reveals a piece of tech used by self-checkout workers to spot potential shoplifters.
A small device with a monitor is shown off, with a list of items present at every checkout
With this monitor, employees can see exactly every item a customer has scanned and receive alerts when someone needs help or requires employee approval.
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The on-screen text boldly says, “We know when you’re stealing.”
The equipment is made by a company called Zebra Technologies
They make tech that focuses on tracking inventory along the supply chain, right down to when items leave the store.
So, how effective is it? Based on some comments, it might not be catching as many thieves as expected.
Interestingly, many self-proclaimed “stealers” admitted their thefts were accidental
“No you don’t [know],” said one user in response to the notion that employees know when you’re stealing. “I walked out of Walmart with one of the big bags of dog food [because] I forgot to pay for it. It was under the cart, I didn’t see it.”
Another added, “[Yeah] no you don’t — I literally walked out with $50+ worth of items on accident [because] I forgot to swipe my card.”
Meanwhile, those who weren’t admitting to theft used the opportunity to criticize Walmart’s customer service
One user joked, “So you know when we are stealing but yet it takes someone 5 minutes to look up from their device when I need help?”
A former employee chimed in. “I worked at Walmart, and they did not pay me enough to care lol. If I saw someone stealing, I would turn around so quick.”
In a follow-up video, @thewalmartguy69 shared the most common ways he sees people stealing
These include wrapping clothes and hiding them in backpacks or opaque containers, skipping items under the cart (like the infamous dog food incident), and sneaking items into the bathroom to stash in bags or clothing.
Interestingly, the vibe in the comments across both videos was pretty relaxed
No one seemed particularly threatened or worried, even those who did admit to shoplifting. Clearly, Walmart might need to rethink their security measures if they’re serious about deterring theft.
Then again, maybe some shoppers are just too bold to be swayed.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!