These are the most commonly stolen items at Walmart
Walmart raked in $600 billion in the past 12 months, but this has been whittled by losses due to theft. These are the retailer’s most commonly stolen items.
Walmart is the biggest retailer in the world, raking in more than $600 billion in sales in its last 12 months.
The company’s profits are on the rise, but according to Walmart CEO Doug McMillion, so are the incidents of retail theft. McMillion told CNBC that theft has been higher than what it has been historically. They are suffering losses not just through shoplifting, but also through organized retail crime, where criminals methodically steal small or expensive items.
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Incidence of theft on the rise among retailers
According to the retail consultant Strategy Resource Group, the average retailer has seen sales loss due to theft reach 2-3% this year, much higher than the 0.7-1% level before the pandemic. This percentage would translate to $12-18 billion in losses for Walmart for the past year.
Such a significant amount of money might have been a factor in the reported closure of Walmart stores all over the country. The company has put in place more security and loss prevention systems to prevent further losses.
READ ALSO: Why are Walmart stores closing in big cities across the US?
Here is a list of the most commonly stolen items at the giant retailer, according to Aisle of Shame.
- Cosmetics such as lipstick, lipgloss, and mascara;
- Small electronics such as watches, smart phones, and chargers;
- Toys like Hot Wheels, Pokemon cards, and Yu-Gi-Oh cards;
- Over-the-counter medication such as pain relievers and stool softeners;
- Food like packaged meat, baby food, deli food, and liquor;
- Intimate items such as condoms and sex toys;
- Clothes and accessories such as underwear, handbags, and sunglasses;
- Jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, and bracelets;
- School and office supplies like pens, pencils, and sticky notes; and
- Home essentials such as laundry detergent and toilet paper.