Walmart has implemented technology to combat shoplifting at its self-checkout stations. The retailer has introduced invisible barcodes on Great Value branded items, allowing shoppers to simply move an item over the scanner for it to be registered, according to a Daily Mail report.
The invisible barcodes, first introduced in 2019 through a partnership with Digimarc, are designed to speed up the checkout process for both workers and customers. While previously shoppers had to search for and angle items to scan the visible barcode, the technology eliminates the need for this.
"The scanning speed goes up significantly," a Digimarc representative told the news outlet. "Hunting for barcodes during the scanning process becomes unnecessary, which eases the self-scanning for customers."
However, the invisible barcodes also have an unintended consequence: they make it more difficult for shoplifters to pocket items without properly scanning them. This is particularly significant as self-checkouts continue to contribute to retail shrinkage.
Other large supermarkets, such as Wegmans, have also adopted invisible barcodes.