Retail theft and shoplifting are significant challenges in the United States, and stores are applying crazy measures that might look dystopian in some cases. As outlined in a comprehensive industry study, in 2019, retail establishments suffered losses of approximately $68.9 billion due to theft. Among the various forms of theft, larceny offenses have proven to be particularly prevalent, with reported larceny rates exhibiting fluctuations over the course of the past few decades.
Being Walmart the largest player in the supermarket and retail industry, its stores have been becoming hyper-monitored environments, where security measures complement each other to prevent thieves from doing their misdeeds. One particular Walmart supercenter is set to reopen in 2024, with some extreme security measures you might haven’t seen so far.
Walmart Reopens Store with Some Serious Anti-theft Measures
Across the industry, there has been a notable increase in inventory shrinkage, including losses stemming from shoplifting, fraudulent activities, and operational errors. These issues have reached unprecedented levels, casting a shadow over the retail landscape.
According to the findings of a recent Retail Workplace Survey conducted by Loss Prevention Magazine, a staggering 60% of retail workers reported encountering some form of violence during their employment over the past 12 months. Walmart, the largest retail chain in America, has a store less than 10 miles away from 90% of the national population, which sounds fantastic for consumers. But, for the company, having 4,630 locations is a problem when it comes to theft crisis.
This Walmart Supercenter to Be Reopened with a Police Station Inside – This is Actually Real
One of the significant challenges that businesses often face, particularly in densely populated or urban areas, is the issue of both violent and nonviolent crimes. This problem recently led to the closure of two Walmart stores in Atlanta, namely the Howell Mill Road and Vine City locations, due to suspected arson incidents. This situation also forced the closure of 22 stores far and wide of the United States.
However, Walmart has devised a plan to address these challenges head-on. The company is gearing up to reopen the Vine City (Georgia) location, but with a significant and much-needed upgrade. While the Howell Mill Road store will remain permanently closed, the reopening of the Vine City Supercenter is set to bring about several crucial improvements.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has announced that the revitalized Vine City Supercenter will not only house a retail space but will also feature a pharmacy, grocery store, and even a police station. This strategic move aims to combat crime effectively in the area while simultaneously enhancing the services available to the local community. Notably, the previous incarnation of the Supercenter did not include such comprehensive security and community-focused amenities.
Police officials hope that the police presence will deter potential thieves from committing their crimes at the Walmart store, in what could be a pilot plan that could be expanded to other locations or retail chains, especially in neighborhoods or cities with high crime statistics. The Vine City Walmart store to reopen is located at 835 M.L.K. Jr Dr NW, Atlanta.
What kind of crimes does Walmart particularly aim to prevent?
Walmart, being a large multinational retail corporation, faces a variety of crimes. These include both violent and nonviolent crimes, with a particular emphasis on preventing retail theft and shoplifting.
Organized retail crime, a significant problem faced by many national retailers, is one of the key crimes Walmart aims to prevent. Organized retail crime involves a group of individuals specializing in stealing specific categories of goods, often through “smash-and-grab” jobs, and then reselling the stolen goods through online marketplaces or back to local retailers.
To deter these thefts, Walmart and other retailers have been introducing various anti-theft measures at the store level, such as time-delay safes and carts with wheel locks. In addition, they have been advocating for federal legislation to tackle trafficked goods online, which they believe will deter thefts at the source.
Shoplifting is another crime Walmart aims to prevent. A lean staffing model and the introduction of self-checkout scanners have made it easier for individuals to engage in shoplifting without being noticed. To combat this, Walmart has implemented an initiative called “Restorative Justice”, which offers first-time offenders the option of completing an online remedial program designed to deter through education, rather than jail time.