Supermarket giant tests new technology to crack down on self-checkouts theft

03 May 2023 , 21:21

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Walmart is investing in technology to help combat rising levels of theft (Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

US retail giant Walmart is testing new technology to try and tackle self-checkout theft and shoplifting from stores.

Walmart, along with many stores is facing an increasing issue with theft and is now testing new technology in Canada to try and tackle self-checkout theft and shoplifting from stores.

Walmart's US CEO Doug McMillon previously said there is a growing problem with stealing in stores and warned that the increase in shoplifting could even lead to increased prices in stores and closed stores if the problem persists.

Speaking to CNBC in December he said: "Theft is an issue. It's higher than what it has historically been."

Canadian stores are facing similar issues so the new technology is being tested there and could then be rolled out. The company said it has been working on internal processes and in collaboration with the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) to fight the stealing issue.

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Many have warned that self-checkouts are a part of the rising shoplifting problem (LightRocket via Getty Images)

Walmart President and CEO in Canada, Gonzalo Gebara, told CTV News: "We have been working on internal processes. We have been working on investing in technology."

He continued: "We have been very well connected with the RCC and collaborating with everyone so that we can make our stores the safest place for our customers to shop and for our associates to work."

There has been discussion around self-checkouts, with some people warning they are part of the problem - but the company has insisted it has no plans to cut back on self-checkouts in response to rising thefts.

People are divided as to whether limits on self-checkouts are a good idea (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

"We're really happy with the evolution that they are having and we're happy also with the fact that we're providing customers with choices," Gebara said. "If you want to have a regular checkout, you can go there, and if you want to just attend for yourself, you can just do it."

Atlantic director of the RCC, Jim Cormier, added that shoplifting is "not a victimless crime". He continued: "It's one of the things we're trying to get across to all government officials, that this is not something that is a write-off on a balance sheet at the end of the day.

"This is something that has real consequences. Retail workers that have to deal with brazen thefts going on within stores."

Walmart wouldn't be the first to introduce measures relating to self-checkout machines to combat rising cases of theft. A grocery store in Rockville, Maryland, has imposed new rules to customers hoping to use self-checkout.

Walmart CEOs have warned of rising levels of theft (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Those hoping to carry out their weekly shop and then scan and pack it themselves at self-checkout machines at the Giant supermarket are being met with signs warning: "Self-checkout is limited to 20 items or less."

Giant president Ira Kress said in a message to customers that the change will "mitigate the impact of theft to our business". It means those planning on making large purchases or carrying out the weekly shop for a family, will now have to go to manned registers.

Many shoppers were left disgruntled at the changes, with one person saying: "Once again, the rest of us law-abiding folks have to suffer and be inconvenienced... because of the increasing criminal element."

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In Canada, supermarket chain No Frills has already implemented restrictions in their self-checkout lanes. According to a tweet from the company, new measures were introduced in 2021 imposing a 15-item limit at their self-checkouts, with full-sized shopping trolleys also banned from the self-checkout areas.

Fiona Leishman