Walmart rolls out new anti-theft tech that transforms how products look and shoppers will see benefits at checkout

WALMART has introduced new anti-theft technology to help the chain combat shoplifting, but it is completely invisible to the human eye.

The retailer ‘s latest attempt to reduce theft has shocked some shoppers.

TikTok/sushiissogoodomg

Alamy

Self-checkouts in some Walmart stores across the US now let customers register items without scanning a barcode.

Shoppers can scan any part of a Walmart Great Value product, and it will be recognized.

Invisible barcodes are printed all over an item, making it incredibly easy for a self-checkout scanner to pick it up.

One shopper took to social media to express their excitement about the new technology .

“Omg guys you can literally just scan the item anywhere and it’ll go through,” they ( @sushiisogoodomg ) said in a video on TikTok.

In the clip, the customer demonstrated the anti-theft measure by scanning the middle of a box of Graham Crackers, which then immediately appeared on the checkout screen.

Digimarc introduced the technology, which they say has the potential to “fundamentally change the checkout process.”

“It sounds like magic, but it’s technology,” the website said.

“The black and white barcode that is printed on billions of consumer packaged goods, can be replaced by an invisible code: the ‘Digimarc Barcode’.

“Packages can be printed all over with hundreds of barcodes without disturbing the package design,” the Digimarc webpage explained.

In addition to the technology’s ability to reduce shoplifting, it also reportedly speeds up scanning time.

Shoppers won’t have to spend time trying to scan an item at a particular angle for the barcode to be recognized.

“Hunting for barcodes during the scanning process becomes unnecessary,” Digimarc explained.

If rolled out nationwide, Digimarc’s creation has the potential to reduce waiting times at Walmart self-checkouts.

But it seems that the technology is in the early stages of usage.

“Digimarc Barcodes on product packaging are not going to be widely deployed any time soon,” the website said.

“The traditional barcode is on over 10 million products worldwide, and is essential for all IT process in trade and industry which cannot be replaced in one go.”

The U.S. Sun contacted Digimarc and Walmart for more details on the technology.

Anti-theft measures rolled out by retailers

Retailers across the US and Canada have rolled out strategies designed to combat theft. The U.S. Sun has compiled a list of measures that have been implemented at stores.

• Locking items in cabinets.
• Security pegs.
• Security cameras.
• Signs warning about the impact of theft.
• Receipt scanners.
• Receipt checks.
• Carts with locking technology

And Walmart is not the only retailer to have rolled out this technology in some stores this year.

Wegmans has also tested it out and has printed invisible barcodes on private-label products.

While the Digimarc technology excited one TikToker, they did not hold back in voicing their complaints about another Walmart policy.

“And Walmart still doesn’t have tap to pay,” they wrote in the caption.

Customers are frustrated that the retailer has invested in innovative technology but still refuses to accept Apple Pay and Google Pay.

This has been a controversial issue for many Walmart customers for quite some time.

While many other retailers across the U.S. have accepted Apple Pay, Walmart has refused to join the trend.

“Still no tap to pay,” a customer said in agreement.

“How tf [the f**k Walmart don’t have Apple Pay,” another shopper said .

Alamy