CVS Tests Letting iPhone Users Unlock Product Cabinets Without an Employee

[MacRumors]

CVS is testing a new feature that is designed to allow iPhone and Android users to unlock product cabinets to retrieve an item without the need to summon an employee, reports The Wall Street Journal (via The Verge).

Many stores like CVS use locked cabinets for items that are often shoplifted, cutting down on retail theft. Locking items up, though, inconveniences shoppers because an employee has to be summoned to retrieve items for customers. CVS Health's chief technology officer Tilak Mandadi told The Wall Street Journal that people "really, really dislike locked cabinets," which is why the chain is testing a new procedure.

CVS shoppers who have the CVS app (with CVS account), activate Bluetooth, and connect to in-store Wi-Fi can unlock locked product cabinets with an iPhone.

CVS is testing the smartphone-based product unlocking in three of its retail locations, but it will soon be expanded to 10 to 15 stores. If the trial is successful, CVS plans to roll it out to all retail locations.

Article Link: CVS Tests Letting iPhone Users Unlock Product Cabinets Without an Employee

 

[thadoggfather]

Or we could just enforce punishment for theft for a change.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

We ARE nuts... in more ways than even I wish to try to type.

 

[dguisinger]

I feel like there are simpler alternatives.

 

[ImmanuelKant_ObiWan]

Because criminals do not carry iPhones…. If I can borrow a line from Nietzsche, we are dying at the hands of our own construction.

 

[Blackstick]

Just hire a receipt checker at the door. Theft will drop. Criminals are opportunists first, most are not masterminds.

 

[alexandr]

But I like ringing the bell repeatedly!!

 

[VisceralRealist]

It's something...I guess.

Walgreens has been lamenting their lost sales due to locked cabinets. Guess they're going to have to decide whether theft or lost sales are the bigger drain on revenue. All these stores have been known to cover up their own financial failings as being entirely the result of theft and loose criminal policy, even when that's likely just one piece of the pie.

In either case, going into a store and having half the merchandise locked up is nothing short of dystopian.

 

[alexandr]

Because criminals do not carry iPhones…. If I can borrow a line from Nietzsche, we are dying at the hands of our own construction.

It clearly states that this would require you to be logged in to CVS app.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I will get an employee instead of using my phone.

 

[turbineseaplane]

The implication here is a little gross

 

[brofkand]

I don't shop places where crap I need to buy is locked behind glass cabinets. Haven't been inside a CVS in years. I will not be treated like a criminal when I've done nothing wrong.

 

[ImmanuelKant_ObiWan]

It clearly states that this would require you to be logged in to CVS app.

Because criminals don’t carry iPhones…. and do dumb things while simultaneously being logged into various apps. This gives new meaning to Buy One, Get One. There, I fixed it.

…and, you are missing the point man…. Really missing the point. This isn’t an app issue or a tech issue, this is a profound societal issue.

Additionally, the answer for everything isn’t that there is an app for this or an app for that; if I need to reinforce my point further.

 

[totallywoke]

Just hire a receipt checker at the door. Theft will drop. Criminals are opportunists first, most are not masterminds.

Many CVS locations in urban areas have armed security officers. Even grocery stores and Target. Target has moved deodorant, laundry detergent and razors to locked cases. These measures are not deterring criminals— in particular organized crime rings.

Employees are instructed never to pursue a shoplifter.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Just hire a receipt checker at the door. Theft will drop. Criminals are opportunists first, most are not masterminds.

This ^

Costco has figured this out a long long time ago

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I will get an employee instead of using my phone.

The goal seems to be pay no employees... but maintain the revenue.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I don't shop places where crap I need to buy is locked behind glass cabinets. Haven't been inside a CVS in years. I will not be treated like a criminal when I've done nothing wrong.

You do know that just about everything of size you can buy at an Apple Store has to be pulled from the "employees only" back?

 

[ninethirty]

I will get an employee instead of using my phone.

Good for you, taking a stand. The founding fathers would be proud.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Just hire a receipt checker at the door. Theft will drop. Criminals are opportunists first, most are not masterminds.

But what if they now have Apple Intelligence and soon Apple Intelligence Siri as their Moll???

"I don't know what you mean by stick 'em up? Here's what I found on the web for stick 'em up"

 

[contacos]

I don’t really get the whole stealing problem that seems to be getting out of hand in the U.S. Aren’t there security tags on most items that beep when you try to leave without paying? Plus, don't stores often have security guards or undercover personnel near the exits, especially in certain areas, like they do here in Germany?

Or MAYBE it goes back to the issue of 🔫 again like I guess people don't just want to ask people to open their bag because they need to be worried about having their face blown off

 

[Blackstick]

Many CVS locations in urban areas have armed security officers. Even grocery stores and Target. Target has moved deodorant, laundry detergent and razors to locked cases. These measures are not deterring criminals— in particular organized crime rings.

Employees are instructed never to pursue a shoplifter.

Seems to work well for Costco. Hell, worked fine when I worked at Apple 10 years ago. A security guard deters the 95% just by watching the door and engaging people to ask for receipts as they leave.

Yes, you'll inevitably still have the incorrigible 5%.

 

[randomthoughts]

Bluetooth and the app should be enough. Shouldn’t have to use the app, Bluetooth, AND join the in-store WiFi.

 

[TigerNike23]

It's something...I guess.

Walgreens has been lamenting their lost sales due to locked cabinets. Guess they're going to have to decide whether theft or lost sales are the bigger drain on revenue. All these stores have been known to cover up their own financial failings as being entirely the result of theft and loose criminal policy, even when that's likely just one piece of the pie.

In either case, going into a store and having half the merchandise locked up is nothing short of dystopian.

Orrrr… they could be full of BS and just trying to come up with an excuse to raise prices. “Who will think of the poor shareholders?!?”

 

[TigerNike23]

The goal seems to be pay no employees... but maintain the revenue.

Ding ding ding!

Welcome to late-stage capitalism

 

[totallywoke]

This ^

Costco has figured this out a long long time ago

Costco locks up high value items. To purchase, you have to grab paper tag or scan item to phone. Pay for item. Then retrieve item from employee from the locked cages