Walmart Is Locking Up This Food Item Now and Costumers Are Getting Annoyed

Walmart has begun locking up an unexpected grocery item—Spam. Once considered an affordable, shelf-stable staple, the canned meat now finds itself behind security measures typically reserved for high-value electronics. This has left many shoppers frustrated and questioning why a product like Spam is being treated as a high-risk item.

Retailers Cracking Down on Theft

Retail giants like Walmart, Target, and Kroger have ramped up their efforts to combat shoplifting, a growing concern that has cost businesses billions. While customers have grown accustomed to seeing expensive electronics locked behind glass, they are now finding everyday items—including corned beef hash and Spam—subject to the same security measures.

A recent viral TikTok video from user @akwildrose_beadwork showcased an Anchorage, Alaska, Walmart where Spam is locked behind glass. In the clip, an employee explains that certain canned meats are preemptively placed at designated registers, preventing customers from freely picking them off the shelves.

Video Here:

How Bad Has Shoplifting Gotten?

Retail theft has surged in recent years, with a 2022 report revealing that 70% of retailers saw a notable increase in organized retail crime. Some thieves steal in bulk to resell online, prompting stores to tighten security. However, locking up merchandise comes with its own downside—studies show that such measures can reduce sales by up to 25%.

Retailers have implemented varying solutions, from traditional lock-and-key systems to high-tech security measures that require an app to unlock products.

Customers React: ‘I’m Shopping Elsewhere’

Many consumers are voicing their frustration, saying that locking up everyday groceries like Spam makes shopping inconvenient. Some have vowed to avoid stores that employ such security measures altogether.

One TikTok user commented, “I’m walking out of any store that does that.” Another added, “I don’t call for help—I just leave.”

Others were baffled that Spam, of all things, had become a high-theft item. “We’re locking down war rations now? This is rock bottom,” one viewer remarked.

As shoplifting continues to rise, retailers must find a balance between loss prevention and customer experience. But for now, if you want a can of Spam, you might have to track down an employee first.