TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods implement new system to thwart theft

The next time you stop in TJ Maxx, Marshalls, or HomeGoods you might spot an employee who is wearing a body camera.

Seem odd? The retailers’ parent company, TJX Companies, says the measure is to keep both customers and employees safe.

“Body cameras are just one of the many ways that we work to support a safe store environment,” a company spokesperson said in a statement to Boston 25 News. “This includes a variety of policies, trainings, and procedures. We hope that these body cameras will help us de-escalate incidents, deter crime, and demonstrate to our associates and customers that we take safety in our stores seriously.”

Only trained employees would wear the cameras.

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Though the move may be seen as controversial, Carol Spieckerman, a retail consultant, who spoke with the Boston Globe, said it makes sense for retailers like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods to use body cameras.

“A big part of their model is this unpredictable, treasure-hunt environment where you never know what’s going to be there tomorrow; that’s what drives more frequent trips, and it’s a really successful model,” she said. “But it also means that it’s sometimes more difficult to keep track of inventory.”

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While it’s not yet known when the cameras will be turned on, TJX said the company will share video footage only when requested by law enforcement or in response to a subpeona.

What do you think about this new safety measure? Is it too much or do you think it will make shopping safer?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.