Wal-Mart Under Fire From Labor Group to Solve Crime Problem

Wal-Mart is making headlines … again. This time, the big-box retailer is under pressure to improve security at its stores and parking lots around the country. Bloomberg reports Making a Change at Wal-Mart, a labor group backed by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, will start running television ads this week in four media markets and has been handing out fliers to customers in 20 cities. The demand follows a report showing widespread crime in the Bentonville, Ark. location. Bloomberg also reports the petty crimes at a number of Wal-Mart locations across the U.S. has put a strain on local police forces.

Total Retail's Take: The multimedia campaign, including TV spots, will certainly bring attention to this issue. While Wal-Mart says it's taking the issue seriously, shifting more employees and security monitors to sales floors and self checkout areas, there's still a long way to go. We'll likely see the impact of the campaign in the beginning of the year after the holiday season.