Walmart deploys hidden barcode technology on its products to combat the growing epidemic of self-checkout theft, leaving thieves wondering why they can’t outsmart the system anymore.
At a Glance
- Walmart has implemented invisible Digimarc barcodes embedded throughout product packaging on Great Value items
- The technology allows scanners to detect products from any angle, even when visible barcodes are concealed
- A viral TikTok video revealed the hidden technology that many shoppers were unaware of despite its 2019 introduction
- This anti-theft measure comes as Walmart undergoes corporate restructuring and faces tariff pressures
Invisible Defense Against Retail Theft
While the rest of America seems content to let shoplifters waltz out of stores with armfuls of merchandise, Walmart has quietly deployed a clever technological countermeasure against the five-finger discount crowd. The retail giant has partnered with Digimarc to embed invisible barcodes throughout their Great Value product packaging designs. Unlike traditional barcodes that thieves can easily conceal with their hands during “skip scanning” at self-checkout, these hidden codes are printed all over items, making them detectable by scanners regardless of how the product is positioned or what parts of it are visible.
“Walmart is a forward-thinking technology leader with an unwavering focus on customer experience,” said Digimarc CEO Riley McCormack.
The technology, which has been in place since 2019 but remains unknown to many shoppers, serves dual purposes that benefit both the company and honest customers. It speeds up the checkout process by eliminating the frustrating hunt for a scannable barcode, allowing items to be quickly passed over the scanner from any angle. More importantly, it makes it nearly impossible for thieves to engage in “skip scanning” – the practice of pretending to scan items while actually bypassing the payment system – because the scanner will detect the product regardless of how it’s manipulated.
TikTok Reveals The Secret System
The hidden barcode system gained widespread attention when a Walmart employee with the username beatsbycait posted a demonstration on TikTok. Using a handheld scanner, she showed how Great Value products could be scanned without locating the traditional barcode. The video revealed what many loss prevention specialists already knew: the entire packaging is essentially one giant barcode, though completely invisible to the naked eye. The revelation surprised many shoppers who had no idea such technology existed, despite it being in place for years.
“‘Real ones know almost all great value items have hidden bar codes,” commented beatsbycait in her viral video.
The stealth technology represents just one facet of Walmart’s multi-pronged approach to combating retail theft, which has exploded nationwide following the “defund the police” movement and progressive prosecutors’ refusal to charge shoplifters. Other supermarket chains like Wegmans have also implemented similar invisible barcode technology, recognizing that traditional anti-theft measures are increasingly ineffective against organized retail crime rings that systematically target self-checkout areas.
Corporate Challenges Amid Technological Innovation
While Walmart deploys sophisticated anti-theft technology at the store level, the company faces significant organizational challenges. The retail giant recently announced plans to cut approximately 1,500 corporate positions across global technology operations, e-commerce fulfillment, and advertising sales divisions. These layoffs come as part of a broader restructuring strategy aimed at streamlining operations and accelerating decision-making processes, according to internal communications from US CEO John Furner and Global CTO Suresh Kumar.
Adding to Walmart’s challenges are the ongoing tariff tensions with China. As America’s largest retailer and importer of Chinese goods, Walmart is particularly vulnerable to trade disruptions. CEO Doug McMillon has noted the difficulty of absorbing tariff costs due to the industry’s notoriously thin profit margins, suggesting that some price increases will inevitably be passed on to consumers. Despite these pressures, Walmart continues investing in technological innovations like the hidden barcode system while simultaneously pouring $9 billion into store renovations nationwide.
The invisible barcode technology represents a rare win in the battle against shoplifting – a practical solution that benefits honest customers through convenience while thwarting thieves who’ve grown accustomed to exploiting self-checkout systems. As retail crime continues plaguing businesses across the country, Walmart’s proactive approach demonstrates that technological innovation, rather than simply removing self-checkout options or hiring more security, may provide the most sustainable path forward for retailers determined to protect their bottom line.
