A recent incident at a Walmart self-checkout has captured the attention of TikTok users, where a shopper boldly recorded herself stealing merchandise, only to find out that the store’s AI surveillance was one step ahead. In a surprising twist, she chose to upload the footage, adding a layer of embarrassment to the already awkward situation.
In the now-viral video, TikTok user Nesha documents her experience with shoplifting, cheekily captioning it: “POV: When you usually don’t get caught, and now you’re banned for two years from all Walmarts in my area.” The post quickly racked up over 2.2 million views, sparking discussions about theft at self-checkouts.
Walmart’s AI Surveillance Strikes Back
The footage shows Nesha scanning a few items before attempting to sneak a backpack into her shopping bag without paying, mimicking the scanning process. However, the AI system worked overtime, issuing a warning message: “Associate is on the way,” ultimately preventing her from completing her purchase.
A store employee soon appeared, confirming Nesha’s failure to scan by displaying a “Missed Scan Detected” alert alongside footage of her covering the backpack. Interestingly, the employee, while amused, still had to call the manager and even the police, leading to Nesha and her friends being escorted out, as she recounted in her video.
Interestingly, a survey conducted by LendingTree indicated that 15 percent of shoppers have intentionally pilfered items at self-checkouts, yet only a third of these thefts are ever reported. With Walmart losing around $3 billion annually to theft, their adoption of advanced AI technologies reflects a growing effort to combat this troubling issue, including their “Missed Scan Detection” system implemented since 2017.
Combating Shoplifting Challenges
The chain has also taken innovation to another level by introducing nearly invisible barcodes on their store-branded items, allowing for quicker scanning by merely passing them through the scanning area. This technology came through a $3 million collaboration with Digimarc, showcasing Walmart’s commitment to fending off theft despite ongoing challenges.
Nevertheless, some stores continue to face significant theft problems, prompting a decision to eliminate self-checkout stations in certain locations. A Walmart spokesperson mentioned the company’s preference not to publicly disclose security measures, leaving shoppers to wonder about what’s truly behind the scenes.
Interestingly, not everyone who doesn’t scan items faces bans. One TikTok user pointed out that as a Spark Driver, she skips scanning individual items, shedding light on the varying policies that exist within the checkout landscape.
Strategies for Preventing Theft
Shoplifting remains a pressing issue, prompting retailers to explore various strategies for prevention. Here are some effective tips from InVue to combat theft:
- Maintain a well-organized store layout.
- Implement effective inventory management.
- Identify and secure high-risk items.
- Display clear anti-theft signage.
- Install reliable cameras and mirrors.
- Utilize advanced anti-theft tools and devices.
- Train employees to be aware and responsive.
- Use customer engagement as a deterrent.
While Walmart continues to invest in innovative anti-theft measures, shoplifting remains a persistent challenge. As technology advances, new strategies will likely emerge, balancing the responsibility of theft prevention between retailers and their customers.
In conclusion, the interplay between technology and retail management will only intensify as the shoplifting problem grows. With both sides of the equation needing to adapt, it’ll be interesting to see how companies evolve their approaches to keep customers happy and merchandise secure.
The AI Buzz Hub team is excited to see where these breakthroughs take us. Want to stay in the loop on all things AI? Subscribe to our newsletter or share this article with your fellow enthusiasts.
