Retail Giant Introduces Hidden Barcodes to Curb Theft
- September 12, 2024
- Posted by: Regent Harbor Team
- Category: Business
Contents
Walmart’s New Trick to Fight Shoplifting: Invisible Barcodes
Sept. 12, 2024
Alright, New Yorkers, listen up. Walmart ain’t messing around when it comes to shoplifters. They’ve rolled out some next-level tech at their self-checkout stations, and it’s all about invisible barcodes. Yeah, you heard that right. Walmart is onto something that’s both clever and practical. According to Daily Mail, they’re using this tech to speed things up and clamp down on crooks.
What’s the Deal with Invisible Barcodes?
So here’s the skinny. These invisible barcodes started showing up in 2019 thanks to a partnership with Digimarc. Imagine not having to twist and turn every single item for that barcode to face the scanner. Instead, you just move it over, and boom, it’s scanned! It’s like magic, but real.
According to a Digimarc representative, "The scanning speed goes up significantly. Hunting for barcodes during the scanning process becomes unnecessary, which eases the self-scanning for customers."
This is a win-win. Workers get to zip through items, and we, the customers, get out of there faster.
A Surprise Benefit: Harder to Steal
In addition to making your shopping trip smoother, these invisible barcodes also put a real crimp in shoplifters’ plans. These are the folks who think they can easily slip items into their bags at self-checkout. But, not anymore! This technology makes it tricky to nick stuff without the scanner catching it.
Essentially, as you glide that jar of marinara or that box of cereal past the scanner, there’s no way to avoid the barcode being read—because it’s everywhere on the package.
Other Big Players Joining In
And get this, Walmart’s not the only retailer jumping on this bandwagon. Big supermarkets like Wegmans are in on it too. They’ve adopted invisible barcodes to streamline operations and cut down on thefts. It’s like there’s a silent revolution happening in the aisles of our favorite stores.
How It Works
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Invisible Barcodes | No need to hunt for the barcode to scan items. |
| Speed | Faster checkouts for both customers and workers. |
| Anti-Theft | Makes it difficult for shoplifters to bypass the scanner. |
| Adoption | Used by major retailers like Walmart and Wegmans. |
Why You Should Care
So why should you care about this invisible barcode jazz? Apart from the obvious time-saving perks, it’s also about making your shopping experience a whole lot less frustrating. No more fumbling to find the barcode. Swipe and you’re done!
Moreover, it’s about keeping your favorite stores from losing money to theft. Fewer thefts mean stores don’t have to hike up prices to cover losses.
The Bottom Line
Walmart’s invisible barcode technology is a game-changer. It speeds up your self-checkout process while keeping shoplifters at bay. It’s a heads-up for anyone thinking they can outsmart the system. And with heavyweights like Wegmans jumping on the trend, it’s clear this tech is going places. So, next time you’re scanning your Great Value items, just remember—there’s more than meets the eye.
Want to delve deeper? Check out Digimarc’s Invisible Barcodes for some nerdy, techy goodness. Your weekend shopping just got a whole lot smoother and safer. Cheers, folks!
