20 Most Commonly Stolen Items From Walmart

By Damini Roy

From desperate parents to organized crime rings, shoplifters target items that are easy to conceal, essential to daily life, or valuable enough to resell quickly. Examining what most often disappears from Walmart shelves reveals a mix of economic hardship, opportunism, and organized operations. Here are 20 items that frequently walk out of Walmart without being paid for

20. Cosmetics

Beauty products reign as the most stolen category at Walmart. Items like mascara, lipstick, and eyeliner disappear constantly because they’re tiny, expensive, and incredibly easy to slip into a pocket or purse. Organized theft rings specifically target these products, knowing they can flip them online or at flea markets for quick cash without much hassle.

19. Baby Formula

The high price tag on infant formula makes it irresistible to both struggling parents and professional resellers. One theft ring in Indiana managed to steal over $20,000 worth of formula from various stores before getting caught. Desperate families sometimes take it out of necessity, while organized criminals resell it through shady channels or even export it overseas where demand runs high.

18. Meat and Deli Items

Premium cuts of steak and packaged deli meats vanish from coolers as grocery prices continue climbing. Thieves know these protein-rich items can be quickly sold to restaurants operating under the table or resold in neighborhoods at discounted rates. The rising cost of feeding a family has turned meat into one of the hottest black-market commodities in retail.

17. Alcohol and Beer

Booze walks out of Walmart for multiple reasons—underage drinkers looking for a thrill, party-goers avoiding the expense, and resellers targeting premium bottles. Some thieves get creative by stealing single cans from multi-packs or stuffing bottles into bags and backpacks. The combination of high prices and easy resale value keeps alcohol near the top of the theft charts.

16. Razors and Blades

Razor cartridges pack serious value into a tiny package, making them one of the most frequently stolen personal care items. Their small size means they’re easy to pocket, and their ridiculous price tags mean they’re worth the risk for many shoplifters. Walmart now locks most razor products behind security cases, which tells you everything about how often they disappear.

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15. Over-the-Counter Medications

Pain relievers, cold medicines, and even laxatives get swiped regularly from pharmacy aisles. People steal these items both for personal use when they can’t afford to get sick and for resale on the street where certain medications have secondary markets. Their compact size and consistent demand make them reliable targets for shoplifters looking for easy grabs.

14. Detergent

Laundry detergent, especially popular name brands and convenient pods, has become surprisingly hot merchandise. The retail price for quality detergent has climbed high enough that thieves can easily resell bottles in their communities or online. It’s one of those household essentials that always has buyers, making it worth the effort to steal in bulk.

13. Sunglasses

Lightweight and compact, sunglasses practically beg to be stolen from their display racks. Thieves can quickly remove security tags, toss them in a bag, and resell them at gas stations or online marketplaces. The markup on sunglasses is substantial, so even cheaper pairs can turn a decent profit when sold secondhand.

12. Jewelry

Even though Walmart’s jewelry section doesn’t carry high-end pieces, costume jewelry still disappears constantly. Small earrings, chains, and accessories are easy to palm and pocket without drawing attention. The lack of heavy security around these lower-value items makes them accessible targets for opportunistic shoplifters.

11. Small Electronics

Chargers, wireless earbuds, smartwatches, and game controllers vanish faster than Walmart can restock them. These gadgets combine small packaging with strong resale value, creating the perfect storm for theft. Tech accessories are especially popular because everyone needs them, and people are always willing to buy them at a discount from unofficial sources.

10. Cell Phone Accessories

Phone cases, charging cables, and adapters get stolen in massive quantities due to their universal appeal and compact size. Thieves know they can sell these items on Facebook Marketplace or to friends within hours of walking out the door. The constant turnover of phone models keeps demand high for these accessories.

9. Clothing and Apparel

Fitting rooms provide perfect cover for clothing theft, with shoplifters wearing stolen items underneath their own clothes or stuffing them into bags. Unmonitored areas make it easy to remove security tags, and the variety of sizes and styles means there’s always something worth taking. Seasonal items and popular brands disappear especially fast during back-to-school and holiday rushes.

8. Energy Drinks

Red Bull, Monster, and similar energy drinks get stolen constantly, often in bulk quantities. These beverages are pricey enough to make theft worthwhile but common enough to resell easily to friends, coworkers, or through small-scale operations. Some people just can’t afford their daily caffeine fix and decide to take matters into their own hands.

7. Toys and Collectibles

Small collectible items like Pokémon cards and Hot Wheels cars have become major theft targets thanks to their nostalgia factor and resale potential. Limited editions can fetch serious money online, making them worth the risk for collectors-turned-thieves. The small packaging makes them easy to conceal, and passionate fan communities ensure there’s always a market ready to buy.

6. Office and School Supplies

Pens, notebooks, markers, and art supplies walk out of stores regularly, often stolen by students or parents feeling the financial squeeze. Back-to-school season sees a spike in these thefts as families struggle to afford lengthy supply lists. While individual items might not be valuable, bulk theft of office supplies can add up to significant losses.

5. Toilet Paper

Even basic necessities like toilet paper have become theft targets as inflation squeezes household budgets. Smaller packs are easier to conceal and walk out with, though some bold thieves simply roll carts full of paper goods straight out the door. The pandemic taught everyone just how essential and expensive these products can be.

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4. Coffee

Rising coffee prices have turned your morning brew into surprisingly hot stolen merchandise. Compact bags and jars are easy to hide, and the consistent demand for coffee means it’s always resellable. Premium brands like specialty roasts or popular flavors tend to disappear most frequently since they carry higher price tags.

3. Power Tools and Home Improvement Items

Drills, saw blades, and battery packs vanish from hardware aisles because they’re easy to pawn or resell quickly. Contractors and DIY enthusiasts always need tools, creating a steady black market for stolen equipment. These items can be worth hundreds of dollars, making them attractive targets despite their bulk.

2. Health and Beauty Products

Deodorants, vitamins, shampoos, and skincare items get lifted constantly because people need them but can’t always afford them. High turnover and consistent demand make these products reliable theft targets. Some items also get stolen specifically for resale to beauty supply stores or through online channels.

1. Video Games and Media

Despite being locked in security cases at many locations, video games, DVDs, and gaming accessories still manage to disappear regularly. Their high value and strong resale market make them worth the extra effort to steal. New releases are especially vulnerable as demand peaks and thieves look to capitalize on launch-day excitement.

Conclusion

These theft patterns reveal more than what’s easy to steal—they paint a picture of economic struggle intertwined with organized criminal enterprise. Walmart has responded by expanding security measures: limiting self-checkout availability and, in some cases, closing underperforming stores where theft has become unsustainable. As retail shrinkage continues to impact bottom lines, shoppers can expect to see more locked cases, monitored aisles, and technology-driven security solutions nationwide.