2024 Update: Walmart Security Footage Retention & Camera Checks Explained
How Long Does Walmart Keep Security Footage In 2022?
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Formerly |
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Type |
Public |
ISIN |
US9311421039 |
Industry |
Retail |
Founded |
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Founder |
Sam Walton |
Headquarters |
,
U.S.
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Number of locations
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10,593 stores worldwide (January 31, 2022) [2] [3] |
Area served
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Worldwide |
Key people
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Products |
Supermarket , Hypermarket , Superstore , Convenience shop |
Services | |
Revenue |
US$ 559.2 billion (2020) [4] |
US$22.55 billion (2020) [4] |
|
US$13.70 billion (2020) [4] |
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Total assets |
US$252.5 billion (2020) [4] |
Total equity |
US$87.53 billion (2020) [4] |
Owner |
Walton family (50.85%) [5] |
Number of employees
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2,300,000 (Jan. 2021) [4] U.S.: 1,600,000 |
Divisions |
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Subsidiaries |
List of subsidiaries |
Website |
walmart.com |
Footnotes / references |
Walmart now has hundreds of cameras inside and out of its stores in order to prevent theft and monitor employees. They also keep track of incidents in-store that could be against customers.
Walmart keeps security CCTV footage for an average of 6 months to 1 year in 2022, though this is dependent on the size and location of the store. In smaller Walmart stores, the retention period of security footage may be between 30 and 90 days.
Walmart Parking Lot Security CCTV Camera footage retention varies from store to store. But most Walmart stores will keep the footage an average of 30 Days.
To request security camera footage at Walmart, you must have a valid reason, such as believing you have been a victim of theft or in-store violence.
If this is the case, it can be worthwhile to keep note of the time, date, and in-store location of the incident to ease the navigation of the security footage.
This information can be used to visit the Walmart Store where the incident took place and to speak with a manager.
Alternatively, should you wish to file a police report, the police will be able to access the security footage on your behalf.
Walmart confirms that, starting in 2020, it will be working with facial recognition companies in order to identify thieves immediately and follow their movements within the stores.
A representative for Walmart confirmed to Business Insider that AI cameras with facial recognition have been implemented in 1000 Walmart stores across the United States.
Walmart’s Security Cameras Monitored by Walmart?
Walmart monitors its security cameras occasionally, but it does so periodically. Walmart recently invested in AI security cameras which can notify staff of inconsistencies and issues, without needing to be monitored constantly.
High crime areas are more likely to have security footage continuously monitored. Walmart, however, uses their security cameras to assist police investigations and to make possible accusations.
How does Walmart handle theft?
Walmart, like most big chain stores, takes theft very seriously. Walmart has CCTV and personnel in place that are trained to quickly identify when a theft is taking place.
The key points within Walmart’s theft policy are:
Employees should never act when they don’t know if shoplifting is occurring.
It is impossible to apprehend shoplifters with untrained staff.
At the point of apprehension, one witness should be present.
If there is no trained staff available, the staff must only respond once shoplifter has fled the store.
Walmart can contact the police and potentially locate the address of the shoplifter depending on store security cameras and personal data.
Alternatively, a shoplifter might also find themselves banned from individual Walmart stores or across state-wide Walmart stores.
Additional information is available in the guides on Walmart building cases on shoplifters. They also explain how Walmart tracks shoplifting. You can also find our guides on Walmart’s most theft products and Walmart’s ability to verify your receipt at exit.
Walmart is using AI and facial recognition in its new technology system.
Walmart maintains most of its in-store security footage for a period between 6 and 1 year. This can be varying from one store to the next.
If you wish to obtain or view any Walmart security footage, you must either call the individual Walmart store or ask for the store manager at the help service desk.
The store manager will decide if you are allowed to view security footage. However, Walmart is more than happy to cooperate for any potential criminal or hazardous incidents.
.How Long Does Walmart Keep Security Footage In 2022?