Walmart Employee Warns Shoplifters—We See Everything You Do' At Self-Checkout Lanes

Think you’re sneaky? Walmart’s self-checkout tech is smarter than you.

Jesse

• Published in News
• August 29, 2024

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at your local Walmart while you're scanning your groceries at the self-checkout? Well, it turns out there’s a lot more going on than meets the eye. 

A Walmart employee recently spilled the beans on TikTok, revealing the high-tech methods the retail giant uses to keep an eye on customers during checkout—and let’s just say it’s got the internet buzzing.

If you've ever used a self-checkout, you've likely wondered, "Are they really watching me?" Well, wonder no more! According to the now-viral TikTok video, Walmart employees have a secret weapon for catching shoplifters in the act. 

The video, posted by @thewalmartguy69, racked up over 10 million views and 600,000 likes before mysteriously disappearing from the platform—maybe Big Retail didn’t want us to know just how much they’re onto us. 

The clip showcased a device used by Walmart staff that not only monitors the number of items you've scanned but also alerts employees when you might need help or when an override is required.

But what makes this little gadget so special? It was developed by Zebra, a company that specializes in inventory tracking and supply chain technology. 

Think of it as the store’s all-seeing eye, keeping tabs on everything you’re doing at the self-checkout, from the moment you start scanning to the second you leave the store. 

Attention, wannabe thieves: Walmart's got a new secret weapon, and no, it's not a ninja cashier

Meet Walmart’s undercover detective, courtesy of Zebra Technologies

With this tech, employees can supposedly keep track of every single item you've scanned—or not scanned—making it much harder for potential thieves to slip away unnoticed. Or at least, that's the idea.

Turns out, you may actually not be as slick as you think

So, with all this high-tech surveillance, you might think shoplifting at Walmart would be a thing of the past, right? Not so fast! The TikTok video sparked a wave of comments from viewers who were less than impressed with the supposed efficacy of the device. 

Some accidental 'thieves' debunked the technology’s effectiveness by confessing to unintentional heists.

And it looks like many others aren’t losing any sleep over Walmart’s new tech

One user cheekily commented, “No you don’t,”right before sharing a story about how they accidentally walked out with a big bag of dog food without paying. Another user confessed to leaving the store with over $50 worth of items because they "forgot to swipe their card." 

Clearly, even with the tech on their side, Walmart employees are only human, and humans can sometimes be... well, less than vigilant.

Some customers have turned shoplifting into an art form—but nothing gets past this vigilant employee. The tell-all is available in a follow-up video.

And let's not forget the former Walmart employees who chimed in, admitting they weren’t exactly passionate about catching shoplifters. One candidly admitted they’d “turn around so quick” if they saw someone stealing.

So, while Walmart’s tech-savvy tools are designed to catch the sticky-fingered in the act, it seems that the effectiveness of these systems might boil down to how invested the employees are in playing detective. 

In the end, it appears that the real battle against shoplifting may lie in the human element rather than the latest tech wizardry.

Jesse