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NEW YORK – Walmart has launched a pilot program equipping store-level employees with body cameras at select U.S. locations, CNBC reports. While the company has not specified how many stores are participating, shoppers have noticed signs at entry points warning of "body-worn cameras in use."
In Denton, Texas, about forty miles north of Dallas, a shopper observed a Walmart associate wearing a yellow-and-black body camera while checking receipts. Photos shared with CNBC confirmed the device's presence.
"We don't discuss the specifics of our security measures, but we are always exploring innovative technologies used across the retail industry," a Walmart spokesperson told CNBC. "This is a pilot we are testing in one market, and we will evaluate the results before making any long-term decisions."
According to a source familiar with the program, the initiative focuses on enhancing employee safety rather than preventing theft. Employees are instructed to record escalating customer interactions but are prohibited from using cameras in restricted areas such as break rooms and restrooms.
"There's too much harassment throughout the year, especially during the holiday season ... it's even worse," said Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. However, he expressed skepticism about the program's true intent, stating, "The body camera doesn't intervene. We need safe staffing and panic buttons."
Bianca Agustin, co-executive director of United for Respect, shared similar concerns. "There's a claim that the body cams are going to promote de-escalation just organically. We don't think that's true," she said. "There are already cameras in stores."
David Johnston, vice president of asset protection for the National Retail Federation, offered a different perspective. "Many of these body-worn cameras have reverse-view monitors ... seeing yourself on camera can be a very big deterrent," he explained.
Retail analyst Mark Cohen suggested Walmart's motivation could extend beyond safety. "Walmart's probably got a workforce that feels the store isn't doing enough to protect them," he said. "This is a test to see whether it has any beneficial effects."
Retail worker reaction mixed
Some retail veterans remain doubtful. A former Hot Topic employee who frequently faced customer hostility questioned whether cameras could prevent aggressive behavior. "These people ... they're not thinking rationally," they said. "Even with a camera facing them, I don't think they would care."
Other retailers have already adopted similar measures. TJX Companies, which owns TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods, reported success using body cameras on loss prevention staff. "It's almost like a de-escalation where people are less likely to act out when being videotaped," CFO John Joseph Klinger noted.
