Next time you shop at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, or HomeGoods, you might see employees wearing body cameras. This new measure, introduced by the retailers’ parent company, TJX Companies, aims to enhance safety for both customers and employees. “Body cameras are just one of the many ways that we work to support a safe store environment,” a TJX spokesperson told Boston 25 News. “This includes a variety of policies, trainings, and procedures.

We hope that these body cameras will help us de-escalate incidents, deter crime, and demonstrate to our associates and customers that we take safety in our stores seriously.” Only trained employees will wear the cameras. Retail consultant Carol Spieckerman explained the rationale, noting that TJX stores’ unpredictable inventory can make tracking challenging. “A big part of their model is this unpredictable, treasure-hunt environment… that’s what drives more frequent trips,” she told the Boston Globe. While it’s not clear when the cameras will be activated, TJX stated that video footage will be shared only when requested by law enforcement or in response to a subpoena.