In a bid to improve safety and reduce harassment in its stores, Walmart has introduced a pilot program that equips some of its employees with body cameras. While the exact number of stores involved in this initiative remains unclear, shoppers at select locations are now greeted with signs warning them that “body-worn cameras are in use.” Some photos, like one shared from a store in Denton, Texas, show associates wearing yellow-and-black body cameras while checking receipts.
This move comes as retail workers, particularly during the chaotic holiday season, face heightened levels of stress and aggression from customers. With worker safety at the forefront, Walmart is experimenting with this new technology, but its long-term impact remains uncertain.
Body Cameras: A New Tool for Retail Safety
According to a statement from a Walmart spokesperson, the company is testing this technology in select markets to assess its effectiveness before rolling it out on a larger scale. “While we don’t discuss specific security measures, we are constantly exploring innovative technologies in retail,” the spokesperson said. This initiative follows the trend set by smaller retailers who have already adopted body cameras as a tool to reduce theft and protect employees.
The primary purpose behind Walmart’s body cameras isn’t theft prevention, but rather to enhance worker safety. A person familiar with the pilot program told CNBC that the cameras are intended to help protect associates by recording potentially volatile situations. The footage can be used as evidence if incidents occur, giving workers a sense of security in what can be a high-stress environment.
Walmart’s approach is clear: body cameras will not be used for loss prevention, as is commonly seen in other retail sectors, but instead to de-escalate conflicts and provide a safer working environment. In fact, Walmart has shared internal documents instructing associates to record interactions if tensions rise, but also advising them to avoid using the cameras in sensitive areas like break rooms or bathrooms.
The Holiday Shopping Surge: Why Now?
The timing of this initiative is particularly significant. Retailers like Walmart face a surge in customers and stress during the holiday shopping season. Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU), notes that employees often bear the brunt of customer frustrations, especially when products are out of stock or when long wait times cause irritation. “The holiday season intensifies these pressures,” said Appelbaum, “and the stress can lead to more aggressive behavior toward workers.”
While some see the body cameras as a step forward in protecting employees, others remain skeptical. Critics, including Appelbaum and Bianca Agustin of United for Respect, argue that cameras alone won’t resolve the underlying issues. “Workers need proper training on how to handle hostile situations,” Agustin said. “Body cameras may capture the incident, but they don’t prevent it from happening in the first place.”
Do Body Cameras Actually Work?
The question of whether body cameras will effectively reduce conflict remains up for debate. David Johnston, vice president of asset protection at the National Retail Federation, argues that body cameras can indeed have a deterrent effect. “People behave differently when they know they’re being filmed,” he explained. “The cameras themselves can be a significant deterrent, especially if employees are wearing devices with reverse-view monitors, allowing them to see themselves being recorded.”
While body cameras have shown some promise in reducing theft and improving security in other retail environments, such as those operated by TJX Companies (owners of TJ Maxx and Marshalls), it remains unclear if they will be as effective in Walmart stores. TJX has reported positive outcomes with body cameras in their loss prevention teams, citing a reduction in shrinkage, but body cameras were implemented alongside other security measures, such as training and improved policies.
A Holistic Approach to Worker Safety
Body cameras, while potentially helpful, are only part of the equation. Critics argue that retail workers need a more comprehensive approach to safety. For example, training in de-escalation techniques, a supportive work environment, and accessible panic buttons are all crucial elements in protecting staff members. While body cameras may play a role in creating a safer store environment, they do not substitute for the necessary training and support employees need to navigate confrontational situations.
The Uncertain Future of Body Cameras in Retail
Walmart’s pilot program with body cameras is still in its early stages, and the company will likely assess the results before deciding whether to expand it further. Retail industry experts, such as Mark Cohen, former CEO of Sears Canada, suggest that the move is as much about alleviating the concerns of Walmart’s employees as it is about deterring criminal activity. “Walmart’s large sales force is exposed to significant risks, and this test may help address both employee anxiety and safety concerns,” said Cohen.
For some employees, however, body cameras may not offer the sense of security they need. One former retail worker shared that even when facing threats of violence, a body camera would not have deterred aggressive customers. “When people are making threats, they’re not thinking rationally,” the former employee said. “Even if they’re being filmed, they may not care in the moment.”
Final Thoughts: Is Walmart’s Body Camera Pilot the Right Move?
Walmart’s decision to trial body cameras at some of its U.S. stores is an attempt to tackle a growing concern in the retail industry: employee safety. While the initiative has the potential to enhance security and reduce violence, it is clear that cameras alone cannot solve the larger issue of worker safety. Proper training, supportive staffing policies, and a more comprehensive approach to handling conflict will be crucial in determining whether this pilot program becomes a sustainable solution for Walmart.
Whether body cameras are effective in deterring violence remains to be seen, but as the retail industry continues to experiment with new technologies, one thing is certain: the safety of workers will remain a top priority for retailers like Walmart.