Giant Wants New Yorkers To Fight Shoplifting Instead Of Hiring Staff

Get ready to scan and unlock, Walmart fans.

The retail giant is testing new tech that lets employees (and eventually, maybe you) use their phones to unlock those pesky cases housing everything from beef jerky to socks.

Yes, those same cases that make buying a tube of toothpaste feel like you're trying to break into Fort Knox.

But here’s the kicker—this “innovation” isn’t about making your life easier. It’s about Walmart shifting its anti-theft tactics onto customers as if that’ll make anyone feel more valued or excited to shop.

Instead of hiring more employees to actually run the registers or having enough staff to help customers find what they need in the aisles, Walmart seems determined to make you a part of their security team.

According to a recent Bloomberg report, the new “unlock-with-your-phone” tech is live in hundreds of stores, allowing employees to open cases without fumbling with keys.

This test could eventually roll out to Walmart+ loyalty members, letting customers do the unlocking themselves. Because, hey, why not turn the grocery run into a digital escape room?

Now, I get it—retail theft is on the rise, and companies are losing money.

But when 2/3rd of shoppers admit they’re skipping purchases because of locked-up products, doesn’t that say more about how these companies prioritize security over customer experience?

If Walmart wants loyalty, maybe it’s time to ditch the excessive locks and bring back good ol’ human cashiers and store associates ready to help you without making your phone do all the heavy lifting.

Instead of rolling out tech that feels like another hoop to jump through, Walmart could actually invest in this country with enough staff to improve customer service, not security measures that treat paying customers like potential thieves.