When you’re shopping at Walmart, you might hear certain codes being announced over the intercom to Walmart staff.
One of these is Code Spark, but you might be a little confused when you hear it if you don’t know its meaning. So what does Walmart’s Code Spark mean? Here is what I discovered!
What does “Code Spark” mean at Walmart?
Code Spark is a secret code that alerts Walmart staff that the cash registers are too busy. If a Code Spark is announced, Walmart employees must stop their current task and head to the checkouts to help reduce queues, either by operating empty cash registers or helping bag customers’ shopping.
Code Spark isn’t Walmart’s only secret intercom code – read on to find out what other Walmart intercom codes mean!
What does Walmart’s Code White mean?
A Code White is a general announcement if there is an accident or other incident in the store.
If a Code White is called, then a Walmart manager will have to attend the area of the store indicated in the announcement and deal with the incident.
What is Walmart’s Code C?
A Code C announcement is a call for customer service. When Walmart employees hear a Code C, they may be directed to specific areas of the store, requiring more staff to meet customer demand.
What do Walmart’s security codes mean?
Walmart has a few codes specific to security staff – these include Code 300 and Department 51. These codes can be used to direct security to certain areas of the store or alert them to security issues.
There are also Security Codes 15 and 60, which can be used to tell security that a section of the store will be unattended for the next 15 or 60 minutes.
For more information on security in Walmart, you can see my guide on how Walmart tracks shoplifters and when Walmart prosecutes shoplifters.
What does Walmart’s Code Adam mean?
Code Adam indicates that a child has gone missing in the store and tells Walmart employees they need to drop everything to help look for them.
When a Code Adam is announced, employees will be given a description of the child, and they will begin to search for them.
Some Walmart employees will monitor entrances and exits, and if the child is not found in a short time period, the local police will be called to assist.
Code Adam began in Walmart stores but has been adopted by many other retailers so that you may hear it elsewhere as well.
What are Walmart’s safety codes?
Some Walmart codes are used to report dangerous events without causing panic among customers. Different colors relate to different events:
- A code red indicates there is a fire somewhere in the store
- Code orange is for a chemical spill
- Code black is for dangerously severe weather in the area, such as a storm or tornado
- Code blue is for a potential bomb threat
- Code brown is for a shooting in the store or on its premises
- Code green is for an active hostage situation
If you hear any of these, stay calm and follow any instructions from Walmart employees – do not run or shout at other customers as this may cause panic and make the situation more dangerous.
If you want to know more, you can also see our posts on whether or not Walmart is an ethical company, if Walmart hires at 16, and Walmart late policy.
Conclusion
Walmart uses codes to communicate to all staff without alerting customers to certain events. Code Spark means all employees should attend the checkouts, while other codes can indicate more serious or dangerous events such as missing children, accidents, security concerns, or fires.
