Walmart CEO Warns Retail Thefts Will Lead To Price Hikes, Store Closures

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” that the massive wave of retail thefts at company stores will lead to higher prices or closed stores if the problem persists.

“Theft is an issue. It’s higher than what it has historically been,” McMillon told Squawk Box’s hosts. 

“We’ve got safety measures, security measures that we’ve put in place by store location. I think local law enforcement being staffed and being a good partner is part of that equation, and that’s normally how we approach it,” he continued.

Squawk Box’s Rebecca Quick then pointed out how certain cities have changed shoplifting rules, making it harder for police to prosecute criminals. She asked McMillon: “Does that matter?”

He responded: “If that’s not corrected over time, prices will be higher, and/or stores will close.” – READ MORE