Ever wonder why Wal-Mart has greeters? It's actually to deter shoplifting!
It began in 1980 when a manager of a Louisiana Wal-Mart had severe problems with shoplifting. To deter people from stealing, he placed a woman by the front door. This woman was charged with simply greeting people as they walked in and asking them if they needed any help.
The mere presence of this woman helped discourage potential shoplifters, who immediately thought twice about it. When Sam Walton, the company founder, visited the store, he made it universal and a Wal-Mart trademark. In the end he claimed this helped customers because less shoplifting results in lower prices!