In recent years, the way we shop has changed radically. What used to be a regular routine of going to the store has now largely shifted toward online shopping. This transformation is not only due to convenience, but also to new habits that have emerged after the pandemic and technological evolution.
Walmart has decided to implement concrete actions to curb a problem that seriously affects their stores: the increase in theft and shoplifting. This decision impacts their customers and could change the shopping experience as we know it.
The increase in theft and Walmart's response
Traditional retail has taken a hard hit in recent years due to the rise of e-commerce. According to a recent Bank of America survey, 42% of Americans plan to spend more money shopping online in the next year. This reflects a clear shift toward the convenience and speed of digital platforms, such as Walmart+, Amazon Prime, or Target Circle 360.
According to a Retail Dive report, 61% of respondents indicated that they plan to buy their groceries online. Walmart is the preferred website for these purchases with 27%, followed by Amazon with 19% and Instacart with 10%.
However, this change has had a negative side effect for physical stores. The National Retail Federation reported a 93% increase in retail theft since 2019, with 2023 being a particularly problematic year. Staff shortages and the use of self-checkout stations have made it easier for shoplifting to skyrocket. Walmart has felt this reality directly and has decided to act.
In some stores, the response has been drastic. For example, in Shrewsbury, Missouri, self-checkout stations were completely removed after it was found that theft was seriously affecting sales. Since then, reports of theft and calls to the police have been reduced by nearly half, dropping to as low as 11% (from January to May 2025). This shows that the measure has been effective and that human supervision remains key to controlling this problem.
Specific measures to prevent shoplifting
In addition to removing self-checkout systems in affected stores, Walmart has adopted other measures to prevent theft. A striking case was the decision to secure low-cost products with a high incidence of theft, such as socks, which were placed under lock and key behind plexiglass panels. A TikTok user showed this, explaining that at her local Walmart, certain common items can no longer be freely accessed due to these new precautions.
The company states that these measures vary depending on the store and the level of crime incidence. Thus, in some locations, the most vulnerable products are visibly protected. Meanwhile, in others, they choose to increase staff presence or strengthen surveillance.
This step by Walmart reflects a broader trend in the U.S. retail sector, which seeks to adapt to a complicated environment where security is an ever-growing challenge. The fight against theft not only aims to reduce economic losses. It also seeks to improve the shopping experience for honest customers and preserve jobs in a sector that is changing rapidly.