Walmart testing body cameras for some in-store employees
BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Some in-store Walmart employees are wearing body cameras as part of a pilot program, according to a company spokesperson.
"While we don’t talk about the specifics of our security measures, we are always looking at new and innovative technology used across the retail industry," the spokesperson said in a statement.
The program is still in the early stages and being tested in one market. Though the statement did not identify that market, CNBC reports that employees in at least one Denton, Texas, location were seen wearing the cameras earlier this month.
The spokesperson said Walmart will evaluate the results before making long-term decisions.
When asked whether the decision to test out the body cameras on employees was related to theft or employee safety, the spokesperson declined to comment.
Nexstar's KNWA reached out to the National Retail Federation regarding the use of body cameras in retail stores.
“Retailers are making every effort to ensure the safety and well-being of their customers, associates and communities. The use of body cameras is still a newer technology being used in retail and individual retailers are finding how this technology best works within their environments," NRF Vice President of Asset Protection and Retail Operations David Johnston said in a statement.
In November, reports surfaced that Walmart was testing a new technology to allow employees to unlock security cases — used on a variety of items, from electronics to underwear, to block against shoplifting — without manually using keys, Nexstar's NewsNation reported.
Earlier this year, TJ Maxx announced that specially-trained loss prevention employees would wear body cameras.
TJX, the parent company of TJ Maxx, said the move was made to "de-escalate incidents, deter crime, and demonstrate to our Associates and customers that we take safety in our stores seriously."
In June, TJX told FOX Business they don’t share the footage unless requested by police or through a subpoena.