Walmart Store Removed Self-Checkout Option and Shoplifting Decreased
By: Toria Sheffield (People. com)
Umm... Doh?
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- A Walmart in Missouri has seen a significant reduction in shoplifting since removing self-checkout lanes in April 2024
- Local police state that calls and arrests to the supercenter have decreased by over half in a year-over-year comparison
- In an email to PEOPLE, Walmart stated that it currently does not have plans to remove self-checkout options in any other stores
A Walmart in Missouri has dealt with significantly less crime after tearing out its self-checkout lanes.
In a recent presentation to city officials, Shrewsbury Police Chief Lisa Vargas stated that police calls and arrests at a local Walmart supercenter were down by over half when compared to the same period in the previous year, per local news outlet the Webster-Kirkwood Times.
Walmart removed the self-checkout option at the Shrewsbury location in April 2024. Prior to the change, many people were checking themselves out and not paying for items, per the outlet.
Vargas stated that in January through May 2024, the Shrewsbury Police Department responded to 1,915 calls — over 25% of which came from the local Walmart. In the same period in 2025, only 11% of calls were regarding issues from the store, per the Times.
"That's a huge change. We really appreciate Walmart taking initiative and removing those self-checkers," Vargas said during her presentation, per the outlet.
PEOPLE reached out to the Shrewsbury Police for comment on Friday, June 20, but did not receive an immediate response.
"We're always looking for ways to innovate in our stores, including the checkout experience," Charles Crowson, Walmart's Director of Global Affairs, said in an email to PEOPLE.
"Any adjustments are based on varying factors, including feedback from associates and customers, shopping patterns and business needs in the area," he continued, adding that Walmart does not have plans to remove self-checkouts from other locations.
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It's amusing how this is being spun as a measure to proactively improve the shopping experience. No doubt some 'customers' are going to be upset by this change.
The last part is Bullshit, they have removed almost all the self-checkouts at our local Walmarts and have gone back to cashiers.
I am not picking on your source per se Nerm, but i see that People is maintaining its excellence in editing and fact checking,
Headline quote: A Walmart location in Shrewsbury, Miss.
First line: A Walmart in Missouri
"Miss" is not a abbreviation for Missouri. that would be Mississippi, MO. is the abbreviation for Missouri.
Good catch! I 'miss'ed that one.
I see what you did there. Nice.
LOL