A WALMART customer was so angry with the retailer’s security measures that he left the store without buying anything.
The customer said he was shocked when he discovered alcohol behind a glass display case in a branch of the retail giant.
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The Walmart shopper shared his experience on X after storming out of the store.
“Just walked out of @Walmart without buying anything because the alcohol, one of the many items on my shopping list, was locked behind glass,” he wrote.
“Punishing customers for the actions of thieves is the laziest and cheapest way to prevent loss of goods.”
Alcohol is just one of the items being locked away in certain stores as part of new theft prevention measures.
At certain locations, Walmart customers have also recently found products such as hairspray, tampons and even socks locked behind glass.
Security measures to prevent shoplifting have been strengthened in recent years after CEO Doug McMillon noted a “historic high” in shoplifting at the company in December 2022.
“Theft is a problem. It’s higher than ever,” McMillon said at the time.
“If this is not corrected over time, prices will be higher and/or stores will close.”
Walmart has previously stated that security measures for specific items depend on the store location.
Just last week, another shopper had to go through multiple security checks just to buy a pair of socks.
LOCKS ON SOCKS
The customer asked Facebook users to comment on the story.
“WHAT DO YOU THINK? I was at WalMart and decided to buy some socks,” he said.
“I walked into that area and noticed that ALL the socks were behind locked glass shelves (like liquor in grocery stores).
“I found someone to help me. She got the socks and THEN put them in this locked glass box (below) that was supposed to be unlocked at the checkout.
Anti-theft measures introduced by retailers
Retailers in the US and Canada have implemented anti-theft strategies. The US Sun has compiled a list of the measures that have been implemented in stores.
- Lock items in cupboards.
- Safety pins.
- surveillance cameras.
- Signs warn of the consequences of theft.
- Receipt scanner.
- Receipt checks.
- Cart with locking technology
“So I had to go through TWO levels of security to buy these socks!” he continued.
Gold Toe Socks, the socks James purchased according to the picture he posted, normally cost around $15, according to Walmart’s website.
The US Sun has asked Walmart for comment.
Another Walmart customer recently found her pickup items still in glass boxes after paying.
In addition, Walmart has also been heavily criticized for its new store layout, with customers saying it “doesn’t make sense.”
The renovation is intended to give customers more space to shop – but some cannot accept the changes.
