Walmart’s 3 Secret Anti-Theft Techniques Revealed as Grocers Reveal the Real Reason They Don’t Stop Shoplifters

WALMART shoppers have revealed three secret anti-theft methods, while grocery store workers reveal why they aren’t stopping shoplifters.

In December 2022, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon told CNBC that “theft is a problem” at its stores.

“That’s higher than in the past,” he said.

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Theft has been a problem not only for Walmart but also for retailers in the United States as shoplifting hit record highs during the pandemic, according to the National Retail Federation.

A representative of the food workers’ union in Washington told WKYT that most employees they represent are advised not to stop shoplifters.

Because there is a risk that the employee, the shoplifter and other buyers will be injured during the altercation, which could also lead to lawsuits.

Walmart has gone to great lengths to combat shoplifters.

One way the supermarket has tried to stop thieves is by hiding its products from hands that could easily steal the items.

Reddit users claimed on Walmart’s subreddit that the store has begun using spider-wrap security devices to deal with theft from their flesh wall.

“I’ve seen spider-packaged meat and it just seems so problematic to me,” reads one comment.

“They don’t stack well when wrapped. And does anyone clean the spider wrap?”

GUMMY THIEVES

Customers have also criticized Walmart’s bizarre anti-theft device, which beeps even when customers are purchasing a product.

A 53-year-old single mom on TikTok (@KarmaTraine) shared her shopping experience at a Walmart in Wilkes County, North Carolina.

The clip showed the woman at the vitamin aisle with what appeared to be an anti-theft barrier covering the bottles.

To get to the vitamins, customers have to lift the flap, but doing so will trigger an announcement letting shoppers know they can speak to a member of staff if they need assistance.

After the announcement, an alarm sounds, which does not stop until the flap is folded down again.

“Can’t try to boost your immune system with supplements right now, c’mon,” commented one viewer.

Another wrote: “For $5? Damn it.”

Slipping

Another shopper, Ronin (@roningt) on TikTok, shared his guesses as to why Walmart would have plastic devices on energy drinks.

These devices often take the form of small, clear, rectangular plastic sliders that hang over the shelf where the drinks are located.

According to a recent video by Ronin, the sliders are likely an anti-theft measure to prevent thieves from taking an entire shelf’s worth of product.

They force a customer to move them and take one pack at a time, per Ronin, who claimed he used to be an asset protection manager for a couple of deals.

“If I had to use my AP brain, they would be an anti-sweep device,” said Ronin.

He continued that the sliders “essentially prevent the shopper from sweeping the entire shelf.”

Additionally, the sliders also make a clicking sound when someone moves them, which Ronin says is a feature meant to alert employees to possible theft.

“The little sliders make clicking noises when you move them, which is an audible alert for nearby workers if they’re paying attention to things like this,” he noted.

Walmart also uses signs to remind shoppers that they are under constant surveillance.

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