Tesco has introduced a new artificial intelligence system in a number of its UK stores in an effort to crack down on shoplifting at self-checkout tills. The technology, which combines surveillance cameras and instant video replays, is designed to identify when an item may not have been scanned properly before being placed in the bagging area.
This move comes amid rising theft figures across the retail sector. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), shoplifting incidents rose by 29% in the year to June 2024, reaching the highest levels seen in two decades. In response, major supermarkets are turning to technology to reduce losses and improve store security.
Cameras Above Tills and Instant Video Replays
The system, already deployed in a number of Tesco branches, involves cameras positioned directly above self-service checkouts. These devices continuously monitor the scanning and packing process, and if an item appears to have been bagged without being scanned, the system automatically displays a short replay on the screen with a prompt.
A message such as “The last item wasn’t scanned properly. Remove it from the bagging area and try again” is shown to the customer, encouraging them to rectify the oversight. This approach mirrors technology seen in football’s Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, offering immediate feedback based on camera review.
A Tesco spokesperson stated: “We are always looking at technology to make life easier for our customers. We have recently installed a new system at some stores which helps customers using self-service checkouts identify if an item has not been scanned properly, making the checkout process quicker and easier.”
The supermarket has not disclosed how many stores are currently using the new system, nor whether a wider rollout is planned.
However, early feedback from within the retail sector suggests the initiative may be deterring theft. Speaking to The Sun, one retail source noted: “If your attempted theft has been clipped up and replayed to you seconds later, you know you might only have two options. One is to pay, and the other is to get caught.”
Broader Context of Rising Retail Theft and Surveillance Measures
Tesco’s decision follows similar moves by Sainsbury’s, which has also begun using overhead cameras at some self-checkout stations. These display a notification and video if a scanned item appears to be missing, prompting customers to recheck their actions.
Retailers across the UK have intensified security efforts following steep rises in theft since 2022. These have included electronic security tags, locked boxes for high-value goods, restricted shelf access, and receipt scanning on exit.
In October 2024, ONS figures confirmed that police had recorded 516,971 shoplifting offences over the previous 12 months—up from 429,873 in 2023. The British Retail Consortium estimates that retail crime is costing businesses £2 billion annually.
In response to these figures, Tesco has also established a dedicated security operations centre in Daventry, Northamptonshire. The facility monitors stores around the clock to detect and respond to suspicious activity, according to the company’s security lead Emma Sparrock, who described the move as “a symbol of our team’s growth”.
Retailers are now relying on a combination of human vigilance and automated systems to manage security more efficiently. The deployment of real-time visual feedback at tills represents a new phase in this evolving strategy.
