RUMORS of “hundreds of arrests and closures” have Walmart shoppers scrambling for self-checkout fears after a spate of thefts.
Vincent Briatore (@VincentBriatore2) has more than 17,000 followers on TikTok, where he provides commentary on news stories.
3
3
In some of his videosVincent shared reports of Walmart CEO Doug McMillon announcing major changes at the retailer due to historically high levels of theft.
Walmart has closed at least 160 stores in recent years, and McMillon said the company lost more than $3 billion to theft.
Vincent responded to another TikToker who claimed that Walmart will make $152 billion in 2022.
However, Vincent said that number was revenue, not profit.
“The stores in the United States alone generate $1.1 billion a year, 153 are revenue,” he said.
“There’s a difference between revenue and profit – revenue is all the money that came in.
“Profit is what’s left after you pay everyone and the cost of goods sold.”
Vincent added that Walmart gets a lot of flak because “nobody wants to sell the cheap stuff and cater to that demographic.
In another video, Vincent warns shoppers who use self-checkout kiosks, saying Walmart and other stores “don’t play.”
“Hundreds of people [are] to be arrested across the country and I’m not just talking about inside the store,” he said.
“I’m talking about a knock on your door in the middle of the night and you get arrested.
In October, it was reported that the retail giant would begin cracking down on messages and arresting customers who were stealing products.
Vincent received more than 11,000 comments from customers disappointed with the changes.
“Seems like it would be easier to hire cashiers and shut down self-checkout,” one person wrote.
“So if you get confused at checkout you’re doing it yourself [sic] Actually Paying You is being locked,” another person wrote. “So if you mess up at the checkout you’re doing yourself, where do you really lock yourself in?”
A third person advised shoppers to get a lawyer if they get arrested.
“You’ll get out every time.”
