If you’re wanting to know more about large stores policies then chances are that Walmart is one of the biggest names on your radar.
Although they are a low-cost superstore, Walmart does indeed build cases on shoplifters. The store is in fact one of the strictest in the business when it comes to handling their shoplifting cases and has actually come under scrutiny in the past for how aggressive they have been when prosecuting thieves.
We’ll tell you all you need to know here in this article!
What is Walmart’s shoplifting policy?
It is important to note that Walmart does not take shoplifting lightly. Although it is obviously an offense, many larger retailers make sure to take the costs of shoplifting into account in their accounts and try to minimize both the number of products stolen as well as their value.
For example, this is why you will often see more expensive items locked in glass boxes or secured with a security tag. In some cases, you may even need to ask a member of staff to help you retrieve the item you are looking for.
Despite all of their prevention methods in place, stores will still have to deal with shoplifters and try their best to deter and then catch anyone who attempts to steal their products.
One way that Walmart attempts to deter people from shoplifting from their stores is to be very strict when it comes to how they deal with shoplifters.
Low value items
How Walmart deals with shoplifters typically depends on the value of the items that the thief was attempting to steal.
If the items are low in value, or there is only one item, then it may simply be a case of getting the shoplifter to sign a form stating that they will not return to that particular, Walmart store for a set amount of time.
The minimum amount for stolen items that Walmart will prosecute is $25. However, if the stolen items add up to less than $25 and you have been caught, you will be highly encouraged to return the items by a member of staff before being asked to leave the premises.
But if you are a repeat offender then you will be closely monitored, removed from the store, or refused entry by a member of staff.
High value items
However, in the case that the stolen items are of a high value or a lot of items were taken, then it is likely that the store manager will call the police who will then arrive to deal with the situation and attempted theft.
It is important to know that exactly how the police deal with the issue will depend on the state. For example, in some states it may be the case that you are issued a court summons by the police before being released but in other states, you may simply be handed a fine to pay.
As may be obvious, there is no one way in which Walmart deal with shoplifters as this depends on the crime committed, the person in question (i.e. have they shoplifted before, are they allowed in the store etc.), and the state in which the crime took place. However, the most important take away is that Walmart does not take shoplifting lightly and will seek to make an example of anyone that they catch.
If you have been caught stealing over $1000 worth of merchandise, then this is listed as a class six felony and can land you up to five years in prison. However, there is also normally an option to pay a $2500 fine and cap the prison sentence at one year.
Any shoplifting of items worth over $2000 is a class five felony and can result in up to ten years in prison.
Read also >> Does Walmart Know When You Steal From Self Checkout?
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What does Walmart do to stop shoplifters?
Obviously, Walmart does not want to spend time and money prosecuting shoplifters if it does not have to.
So, Walmart puts numerous measures in place to catch and stop shoplifters before they make it anywhere near the store exit.
By having several different methods to catch shoplifters, Walmart also uses these as deterrents for people who may think about shoplifting for the thrill of it, as it will simply not be worth the hassle.
CCTV
One of the main things that Walmart has to stop and/or deter shoplifters is security cameras. Like almost all stores, Walmart has strategically placed CCTV cameras inside and outside all of its stores to ensure that all angles are covered and that it can easily see all people inside its stores.
Items worth a lot of money will be carefully watched to ensure that they are not stolen and if anyone appears suspicious then a member of staff monitoring the cameras will alert another member of staff who will then deal with the situation.
Posted staff
Another method that Walmart uses to catch and deter thieves is posting staff members at the checkout.
In some stores, you may even need to present your receipt upon exiting the store. If anyone has been spotted acting suspiciously inside the store then these staff members may ask to check your bag and receipt to prove that you purchased all of the items that you are taking from the store.
Members of staff will also be made aware of anyone that is not permitted entry into the store and will be sure to remove them if necessary.
Plain clothes staff
In addition to posting members of staff at the store exits, Walmart also employs people to walk around their stores dressed as regular members of the public.
This is to ensure that anyone attempting to shoplift will not be aware that they are in the presence of a member of staff, making it easier to catch them or report them to other staff members.
This method works much the same as plain clothes police officers. However, these staff members must keep a distance at all times from anyone that they consider suspicious so as not to arouse their suspicion.
How has Walmart previously dealt with shoplifters?
In previous shoplifting cases, Walmart has come under fire for how aggressively they were dealing with the situation.
Even in shoplifting cases involving minors, Walmart still does not tread lightly, making sure to punish the thieves as they see fit. In fact, the company was sued in 2017 for how they handled a shoplifting case involving a minor.
Despite seeming overly harsh, the company’s no-nonsense policies clearly work as they have an incredibly low shoplifting rate.
This is good news for all shoppers as this means that the company can continue to keep their prices low for their customers that do pay, as they will have to take less loss into their calculations. This is a win-win for the company and shoppers.
Conclusion
Walmart does not take shoplifting lightly and this is one of the many reasons why the company loses very little merchandise compared to other companies.
Although their policies may appear harsh to some it is important to deter people from shoplifting before they even enter the store.
By putting extra security measures in place, such as security tags, extra staff, and security cameras, Walmart ensures that its stores can run as efficiently as possible while making it a safe experience for other shoppers and staff members on