Lidl makes major change at self-checkouts to help stop shoplifters

Lidl is trialling cameras at self-checkouts to help deter shoplifters. The technology is designed to record when a shopper doesn’t scan an item.

If a Lidl customer is caught not scanning an item, the cameras will play back the footage on a screen - then if they continue to not scan the product, a member of staff will be directed over before the shopper can pay for their shopping.

The cameras are being trialled in two London stores, according to The Grocer. Lidl has not revealed which stores are taking part in the trial, but told The Grocer it does not currently have plans to roll out the cameras more widely.

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Lidl’s latest customer privacy notice says: “Some of our cameras may also use non-scan detection technologies as part of the checkout process. Any cameras using non-scan detection technologies are only active at our store checkouts and self-checkouts.”

It also says: “Any non-scan technologies used on our checkouts and self-checkouts cameras are only used to identify non-scanned items, prevent inventory loss and will always involve human intervention.

”All facial images collected as part of our non-scan detection cameras are pixelated and no facial recognition technologies are used.”

Home Bargains recently installed similar cameras that are also used to detect unscanned items at self-service tills. The cameras are being used in the Home Bargains Speke store, which is only one of four branches where self-checkout tills have been installed. Home Bargains has more than 600 stores in total.

The bargain retailer is working with tech firm SAI (Storewide Active Intelligence) and Everseen as part of a trial. Home Bargains operations director Paul Rowland told The Grocer the retailer found technology more effective than security guards.

The latest figures from industry body the British Retail Consortium (BRC) show retailers reported a staggering 20.4 million customer thefts in the 12 months to September last year.

The amount spent on crime prevention is also at a record high, with retailers investing £1.8billion on measures such as CCTV, more security personnel, anti-theft devices and body worn cameras, up from £1.2billion the previous year. The BRC says this added cost for businesses, filters down to higher prices for customers.

The Government introduced a new Crime and Policing Bill in February this year, which features a range of measures including removing the £200 low value limit for shoplifting, meaning the maximum sentence for shop theft will be seven years regardless of value. It also includes making it a standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, previously said: “Retail crime is spiralling out of control. People in retail have been spat on, racially abused, and threatened with machetes.

"Every day this continues, criminals are getting bolder and more aggressive. We owe it to the three million hardworking people working in retail to bring the epidemic of crime to heel."