Lidl is trialling cameras at self-checkouts that can spot when a shopper fails to scan an item and play back the footage to show them.
The “non-scan detection” technology is being trialled in two London stores in the discounter’s latest bid to tackle theft.
The technology captures the moment the shopper omitted to scan the item and plays it back on a screen. If they do not correct the omission, an assistant will need to intervene before they can pay for their shopping.
Home Bargains uses similar technology to tackle so-called ‘skip-scanning’. The variety discounter is working with UK loss prevention tech firm SAI (Storewide Active Intelligence) and Ireland-based visual AI company Everseen in two recently launched stores trials, as revealed by The Grocer in April.
Lidl has not yet named the tech provider for its trial, or the two London stores where it is exploring the solution.
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Lidl has had self-checkouts in urban stores for a number of years but only rolled them out widely across its estate in 2024.
The supermarket’s standard self-checkouts also feature a screen at eye level, and some play a messages to shoppers asking: “Have you remembered to scan everything today?” Shoppers must also scan their receipt at a barrier to leave.
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.”
Lidl said it had no current plans to roll out the non-scan detection technology more widely.
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