Walmart is introducing body cameras in select US stores to increase security

As reported by, US retail giant Walmart has initiated a pilot program that will equip store employees at select US locations with body cameras to increase security and prevent conflicts CNBC.

The exact number of outlets involved in the use of these recording devices is not disclosed. Some Walmart stores have installed notifications at their entrances informing customers of active use of “body-worn cameras,” confirmed by accounts and images shared online.

As the largest private employer in the U.S., Walmart is exploring the technology after it was adopted by smaller retailers to curb theft.

While body cameras are often marketed for their potential to curb shoplifting, Walmart’s implementation of the technology is aimed more at increasing staff safety than at deterring theft.

A Walmart spokesperson was quoted by CNBC: “While we don’t discuss the specifics of our security measures, we are always looking at new and innovative technologies being used across the retail industry.”

“This is a pilot that we are testing in one market and we will evaluate the results before making any longer-term decisions.”

The use of body cameras comes at a crucial time – during the 2024 holiday shopping season.

A recent study released by the National Retail Federation indicates a significant increase in retail theft, with the average frequency of shoplifting increasing by 93% annually between 2019 and 2023, along with an increase in financial losses attributed to such incidents, around 90% time frame.

In 2023, retailers experienced an average of 177 shoplifting incidents per day, although this number can exceed 1,000 in certain segments of the retail industry.

In early 2024, US off-price clothing and home fashion retailer TJX Companies began implementing body cameras in its stores. The move was announced by Chief Financial Officer John Joseph Klinger during a call with analysts following the company’s first-quarter earnings release in May 2024.

Walmart recently completed its acquisition of consumer electronics brand VIZIO, a move that enhanced its entertainment offerings to customers and supported growth in the advertising sector.

“Walmart introduces body cameras in select U.S. stores to increase safety” was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData brand.

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