Employees of TJ Maxx and Marshalls to Receive Body Cameras
In an effort to combat record-breaking thefts affecting many US retailers, employees of TJ Maxx and Marshalls will be equipped with body cameras. The parent company, TJX Companies, which also owns Sierra and Home Estate, has been piloting the use of body cameras at select store locations this year. The goal is to de-escalate incidents, deter crime, and emphasize the importance of safety in their stores to both employees and customers.
These body cameras are worn by trained loss prevention officers and the footage captured will only be shared with law enforcement when requested or in response to a subpoena.
Chief Financial Officer John Klinger mentioned during a recent earnings call that the company hopes the presence of these cameras will discourage theft once individuals are aware they are being filmed. The primary focus for the retailer is on reducing “shrink,” a term used in the industry to describe lost or stolen merchandise.
The company is dedicated to maintaining a balance between protecting their goods, ensuring a seamless shopping experience for customers, and upholding safety within their stores.
With the retail industry facing significant losses due to theft, estimated at $112.1 billion in 2022 by the National Retail Federation, companies like Target and Dollar General have also taken steps to address the issue. Target has announced plans to limit self-checkout options to 10 items, while Dollar General has decided to eliminate self-checkout altogether to combat theft.
