{"id":109500,"date":"2025-05-26T12:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-26T11:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/?p=109500"},"modified":"2025-05-26T12:13:36","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T11:13:36","slug":"tesco-rolls-out-new-ai-cameras","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/tesco-rolls-out-new-ai-cameras\/","title":{"rendered":"Tesco Rolls Out New AI Cameras at Self-Checkouts in Major Security Shake-up"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tesco <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This move comes amid rising theft figures across the retail sector. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS<\/a>), shoplifting incidents rose by 29%<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cameras Above Tills and Instant Video Replays<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The system, already deployed in a number of Tesco<\/em> <\/a>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<\/strong> on the screen with a prompt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A message such as \u201cThe last item wasn\u2019t scanned properly. Remove it from the bagging area and try again\u201d is shown to the customer, encouraging them to rectify the oversight. This approach mirrors technology seen in football\u2019s Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, offering immediate feedback<\/strong> based on camera review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Tesco<\/em> spokesperson stated: \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The supermarket has not disclosed how many stores <\/a>are currently using the new system, nor whether a wider rollout is planned.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, early feedback from within the retail sector suggests the initiative may be deterring theft. Speaking to The Sun<\/em><\/strong>, one retail source noted: \u201cIf 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Broader Context of Rising Retail Theft and Surveillance Measures<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tesco\u2019s decision follows similar moves by Sainsbury\u2019s<\/em>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In October 2024, ONS figures confirmed that police had recorded 516,971 shoplifting offences over the previous 12 months\u2014up from 429,873 in 2023. The British Retail Consortium<\/em> estimates that retail crime is costing businesses \u00a32 billion annually<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In response to these figures, Tesco<\/em> 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\u2019s security lead Emma Sparrock, who described the move as \u201ca symbol of our team’s growth\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tesco has introduced a new system at self-service tills, and it\u2019s not just about faster checkouts. Customers scanning their own shopping may now be watched by smart cameras and even receive video playback on the spot. The retailer says it\u2019s about ease and accuracy \u2014 but the timing suggests another motive. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":109502,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-109500","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33","no-featured-image-padding"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109500","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=109500"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109500\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":109503,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109500\/revisions\/109503"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/109502"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=109500"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=109500"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=109500"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}