Sadly been going to HomeDepot long enough to have been there before all the cages were put up. E.g. if you want a small roll of wire, gotta find an associate to open the cage, get the wire, and walk with you to checkout to make sure you pay. I asked once if all the was necessary, and the experienced associate related some real horror stories such as folks putting a 200 ft roll of 4 guage onto a cart and simply walking out. That is impressive both in regard to the brazenness, and because someone could lift such a roll onto a cart (likely with a partner, but still).

The cages are used in stores with high shoplifting rates. They aren't in all stores.

Where I live it's the same at Target, CVS, Walgreens. Lots of stuff is locked up and you have to get someone to open the cages

Never had to do this at home Depot. Your local area is just a high shoplifting area.