Walmart Deploys Body Cameras to Fight Retail Theft

Walmart, America’s favorite everything-store, is taking theft prevention up a notch with a new pilot program equipping store associates with body-worn cameras in select U.S. locations. While Walmart says the move improves safety and reduces losses, it’s already raising eyebrows among shoppers and privacy advocates who think body cams might be overkill for grabbing milk and bread.

The company argues the cameras will help de-escalate conflicts, offering staff protection while documenting interactions. The added benefit? Deterring aggressive customers and ensuring a safer work environment. Walmart isn’t alone. Retailers like TJX, parent of TJ Maxx and Marshalls, have also introduced body cams for loss prevention teams, signaling a broader trend in retail security.

Financially, the move is no surprise. Walmart’s net income for the fiscal year ending January 2023 fell to $11.3 billion, down 19% year-over-year, with retail shrink eating into profits. According to the National Retail Federation, the average shrink rate hit 1.6% in 2022—up from 1.4% the year prior—translating to a staggering $112.1 billion in losses. Global shrinkage is forecast to hit $132 billion by 2024.

Walmart’s focus on theft comes as retailers grapple with mounting losses driven by shoplifting, fraud, and operational errors. Body-worn cameras are a clear signal that loss prevention is taking priority over optics, even if they give the store a slightly militarized vibe.

With billions on the line, expect more retailers to follow Walmart’s lead. Body cams might feel extreme now, but in a world of shrinking margins and rising theft, they could become just another part of the shopping experience.