Waitrose is rolling out CCTV cameras and screens in its stores as part of its ongoing efforts to deter retail crime.
The screens, which relay live footage of shoppers entering and leaving stores, are being hung in the entrances of Waitrose supermarkets. They also display a message clearly stating ‘recording in progress’.`
More screens have also been installed throughout the stores. The locations for these include the fresh meat section, alcoholic drinks, certain aisles such as personal care and the checkout areas.
Speaking to The Grocer this week after one of the systems was installed in a supermarket in the south of England, a Waitrose spokesman confirmed the screens were aimed at reducing crime. Waitrose has been introducing the systems for over a year and they are now in place in more than half of the 315 Waitrose stores across the UK.
He also confirmed Waitrose had addressed privacy concerns and that “any data is managed in compliance with data protection law”. Data would only ever be shared if requested by police to assist with an investigation.
Cameras and CCTV screens have become increasingly commonplace in UK supermarkets over the past few years. These can range from cameras trained on areas of the store featuring high-value items which are likely to see higher levels of theft, such as alcoholic drinks, to what have recently been dubbed as VAR (video assisted referee) screens trainied on self-checkouts.
Just last week Sainsbury’s began the rollout of facial recognition technology in stores to increase colleague and customer safety, following the rise in retail crime. Working with facial recognition company Facewatch, the initial trial launched in its Sydenham superstore and Bath Oldfield convenience store. The system will alert Sainsbury’s to criminal behaviour submitted by the store or other retailers using Facewatch nearby.
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