‘They not playing with y’all now’: Shopper shows extreme measure Walmart is taking to protect their meat section from thieves

Walmart is now locking up expensive meats in wire security cages to stop shoplifters. TikTok user @confusion.dac recently filmed the store’s refrigerated section and couldn’t believe what he saw. The video shows shelves full of premium choice ribeye steaks, each one sealed in its own wire security cage.

“Y’all doing Walmart so bad, they gotta lock these steaks up,” he said in the video, adding, “Boy, they not playing with y’all now.” He then showed the price tag, which revealed the real shock: $20.97 per pound. That means buying two steaks would cost you $45.09.

According to Bro Bible, the TikTok user was stunned by the high price and the extreme security. “$45 for a steak, and they locking the s*** up tight,” he said. While shoplifting rates haven’t changed much in the last ten years, high inflation and viral theft stories have made retailers nervous. We’re used to seeing security tags on clothes or locked cases in drugstores, but seeing beef in cages is something new for most shoppers.

Walmart has been locking up meat for years

However, locked-up meat isn’t actually new at Walmart. People have been posting videos of secured meat sections for years, with one viral video from 2022 showing the same thing. It’s not just expensive cuts either. One person claimed they had to ask for help just to buy Spam. This comes as Walmart continues dealing with various issues, including a simple scam that shocked customers.

The high price of $20.97 per pound is a recent problem. Experts say several factors are causing this increase. First, the cost of raising cattle has gone up significantly. Second, fewer cattle are being raised overall, which reduces supply. There are also tariffs affecting American beef, though these mainly impact ground beef, not ribeye.

The good news is you can find better prices at other stores. Choice ribeye steaks at Aldi cost $14.79 per pound, and Costco sells them for $16.99 to $17.99 per pound. You can also save money by choosing less popular cuts like Denver Steak, which tastes good but costs less because it’s not as well-known. 

Some shoppers slice certain chuck roast cuts to make steaks. If you have freezer space, buying large beef cuts and slicing them yourself saves the most money. The retail giant has faced scrutiny recently, with a tragic walk-in oven incident raising safety concerns at stores.