Sainsbury’s is testing facial recognition technology in its stores to combat a rise in shoplifting.
It says the technology will be used to identify and ban people who are abusive to staff or steal items from stores.
The supermarket is kicking off an eight-week trial at stores in south London and Bath, with a view to rolling out the technology nationwide in the future.
Sainsbury’s decision to introduce facial recognition technology comes after figures show a 20 per cent rise in reports of shoplifting in 2024. However, privacy campaign groups have described the technology as ‘chilling’ and ‘invasive’.
How does facial recognition technology work?
The facial recognition technology being used by Sainsbury’s will help it to identify people who shoplift or abuse staff.
The system can also issue alerts based on criminal behaviour submitted by the store or other retailers using the same technology.
Sainsbury’s said records would be deleted instantly if the software didn’t recognise the face of reported individuals.
The same technology has also been used by large retailers such as Costcutter, Sports Direct, and Home Bargains.
Read more: Rise of shoplifting – how to protect your shop from thieves
Privacy concerns over facial recognition technology
Sainsbury’s claims its use of facial recognition technology isn’t about monitoring customers or employees.
However, privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch described the technology as ‘Orwellian’.
“Sainsbury’s decision to trial facial recognition technology in its shops is deeply disproportionate and chilling,” the group’s Senior Advocacy Officer Madeleine Stone told the Press Association.
Rise in shoplifting a problem for retailers
Almost a quarter (24 per cent) of people have witnessed shoplifting in the past year and 23 per cent have seen physical or verbal abuse of shop workers, according to research by the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
Meanwhile, research by Simply Business found that more than one in 10 business owners have been, or know another business that has been, a victim of shoplifting.
Sainsbury’s says incidents of shoplifting, threatening behaviour and abuse towards staff are on the rise. And that these issues are affecting their staff on a daily basis.
Other retailers that have introduced measures to combat shoplifting include Asda and Poundland.
High street businesses waiting on stricter shoplifting punishments
Earlier this year, the government launched the Crime and Policing Bill, which includes measures to protect retail businesses from shoplifting.
The bill proposes to:
- introduce stricter penalties for shoplifting of items worth under £200
- make it an offence to assault a retail worker
The bill is currently in the House of Lords. It will need to pass a committee stage, report stage, and third reading before it returns to the Commons and becomes law.
However, its progress has been quick, so it’s likely to become law before the end of 2025. It will then be up to the government to draft new regulations and set a starting date.
More guides for retail businesses
- UK high streets at risk of dying out
- How to do a stock take
- What is dead stock?
- Online payment methods – a business guide
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