CVS Tests Letting iPhone Users Unlock Product Cabinets Without an Employee

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).

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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.

Tag: CVS

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Top Rated Comments

thadoggfather Avatar
10 weeks ago
Or we could just enforce punishment for theft for a change.



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Score: 56 Votes (Like | Disagree)
brofkand Avatar
10 weeks ago
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.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dguisinger Avatar
10 weeks ago
I feel like there are simpler alternatives.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Blackstick Avatar
10 weeks ago
Just hire a receipt checker at the door. Theft will drop. Criminals are opportunists first, most are not masterminds.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
totallywoke Avatar
10 weeks ago

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
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
VisceralRealist Avatar
10 weeks ago
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.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)