Walmart says it is testing body cameras on some store employees

Walmart said it is testing body cameras on some store employees, a move that comes after shootings and other violent incidents occurred at some of its locations.

A Walmart employee checking receipts at a store in Denton, Texas, was seen carrying a recording device earlier this month, CNBC reported, which cited a photo shared by a shopper. Walmart confirmed to CBS MoneyWatch on Tuesday that it is testing the use of body cameras.

“While we don’t talk about 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,” a Walmart spokesperson told CBS MoneyWatch.

According to United for Respect, a workers’ rights group, there were more than 200 violent incidents at Walmart stores in 2023, while in 2019 a gunman killed 23 people at a Walmart in El Paso. Walmart, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, operates 4,700 stores and clubs across the country and employs 1.6 million people in the United States

The body cameras are “for worker safety – they are not designed for anti-theft measures,” a person familiar with the situation told CBS.

Body cameras from other retailers

Walmart isn’t the only one looking into body cameras. More than a third of retailers say they have explored this option in a survey released last year by the National Retail Federation. “No retailers reported it was fully functional, but 11% are either piloting or testing the solution,” according to the NRF’s findings.

“Retailers are making every effort to ensure the safety and well-being of their customers, employees and communities. The use of body cameras is still a newer technology being used in retail, and individual retailers are figuring out how this technology works best in their environments,” said David Johnston, NRF vice president of asset protection and retail operations, on Tuesday.

According to the trade group’s latest study, “The Impact of Retail Theft & Violence 2024,” around 91% of respondents say shoplifters are displaying more violence and aggression compared to 2019, “illustrating why retailers are continually seeking action.” to reduce violence and aggressiveness.” Threats of violence,” Johnson said.

TJX, which operates TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, was founded Equipment for security forces The company said over the summer that it had deployed police body cameras at some of its locations last year.

When someone comes in, “it’s almost like a de-escalation, where people are less likely to do something if they’re caught on video,” Chief Financial Officer John Klinger told Wall Street analysts in late May.

“We hope these body cameras will help us de-escalate incidents, deter crime and show our employees and customers that we take safety in our stores seriously,” a TJX spokesperson said in June.