A Viral TikTok Sparks Questions About Theft, Policy, and Economics
A now-viral video posted by TikTok user @solid_soul83 has reignited a national conversation about retail theft, inflation, and corporate policy. In the clip, filmed at a Walmart location, steaks are visibly locked behind clear, gated barriers. The voice in the video exclaims, “Baby, this is when you know it’s bad. When they put miniature gates so you don’t steal the meat. This got to be bad, Lord Jesus…”
This dramatic and emotional reaction resonates with many online, especially amid increasing reports of major retailers implementing more aggressive anti-theft measures. With over a million views across platforms, the video has become a flashpoint in discussions about economic desperation, crime, and customer inconvenience.
Though this video is going viral today, it originally surfaced in 2022. However, it brings to light a real and ongoing discussion.
Why Is Walmart Locking Up Steaks?
Retail theft is becoming a multi-billion-dollar issue for companies like Walmart. According to industry research, Walmart’s theft-related losses may have topped $6.5 billion in 2023 alone. Items like baby formula, cosmetics, and now fresh meats like steak are among the most targeted products due to their high resale value and ease of concealment.
Walmart’s strategy includes placing these items in secure, often locked cases—either behind counters or within barriers that require employee assistance to access. While the measure is frustrating to some shoppers, Walmart argues that it’s necessary to deter theft, especially in high-shrink locations.
What’s Going On With Self-Checkout?
The same TikTok mentions that the store is phasing out self-checkout lanes in favor of traditional checkouts with employees. While this shift isn’t universal across all Walmart locations, it aligns with recent internal tests aimed at reducing theft via unscanned or mis-scanned items.
In some cities, Walmart is reportedly removing self-checkout entirely. While this increases labor costs, the company may be banking on improved loss prevention and better customer interaction at the register. Other retailers like Target have explored similar shifts, suggesting this might become a larger trend across the industry.
Regardless, the past few years have seen a growing frustration with self-checkout lanes. Many stores either have several traditional checkout lanes, but only one or two open. So, that causes long lines. All of that is to encourage people to do self-checkouts. As a result, on social media, there have been memes about the growing trend. A popular meme is one that says customers need to go into the employee breakrooms, too, since they’re buying products and working in the stores.
Aside from that, many stores, primarily Walmart locations, have done away with most traditional checkout lanes in favor of self-checkout lanes.
Public Reactions — “This Got to Be Bad, Lord Jesus…”
The video’s original commentary struck a chord because it felt like a real-time expression of what many shoppers are already noticing: a growing feeling that the retail landscape is changing—and not for the better.
Replies to the viral clip range from sympathetic to critical:
- “We used to lock up razors. Now it’s ribeyes.”
- “You can’t even get paper towels without a key now.”
- “This ain’t even Walmart no more. It’s War-mart.”
While some view it as a necessary measure in tough times, others see it as a reflection of deeper systemic issues like poverty, inequality, and urban decay.
Is Retail Theft Really This Bad?
The National Retail Federation reports that organized retail crime and theft account for over 36% of store shrinkage. Though the overall percentage hasn’t spiked significantly, the absolute dollar value has increased due to higher product prices and demand.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon warned in late 2023 that if the theft problem wasn’t brought under control, it could lead to price hikes or even store closures. Some locations have already seen this happen, especially in cities with higher crime rates and less aggressive prosecution of petty theft.
Some stores have had their employees go viral for literally fighting shoplifters in their stores.
What Walmart and Other Retailers Are Doing About It
Beyond locking up meat and moving away from self-checkout, Walmart is experimenting with a few other solutions:
- App-based Unlocking: Some stores are testing features where customers can use their phones to unlock secured cases.
- AI-powered Surveillance: Technology is being deployed to monitor behavior in self-checkout lanes.
- Item Tracking: High-theft goods are being tagged with devices that set off alarms or require removal at the register.
Target, CVS, and Walgreens are also employing similar strategies, indicating this is far more than just a Walmart-specific issue. Across the board, the retail industry is going through changes. As a result, all of the retailers are adapting.
The Trade-Off: Security vs. Customer Experience
These theft-prevention tactics often come at a cost—convenience. Many shoppers feel frustrated by the wait times, lack of access to everyday items, and the implied accusation that everyone is a potential thief.
Retail experts say this trade-off is becoming more common as stores try to stay profitable without raising prices too steeply. Unfortunately, these changes can disproportionately impact law-abiding customers while doing little to deter organized criminals who are often steps ahead of security protocols.
Many consumers have voiced their opinions on the things retailers are doing in the name of profit. A large number of these people are unhappy with the changes. However, there are valid points in favor of both the consumers and the retailers who are still courting their business, in spite of all.
Final Thoughts on Walmart’s Anti-Theft Strategy
The viral video showing steaks behind locked gates isn’t just about meat—it’s about the changing face of American retail. As theft rises and stores scramble to adapt, customers are caught in the middle of a policy tug-of-war.
Whether it’s mini-gates on meat or a shift back to human cashiers, one thing is clear: Walmart is feeling the pressure. And in the words of @solid_soul83, “This got to be bad, Lord Jesus…”
This moment—half meme, half economic snapshot—sums up how modern shoppers are living through an era of transition. Where it leads next depends on how well retailers, customers, and policymakers find common ground between security and convenience.
