{"id":41771,"date":"2025-09-05T15:32:45","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T15:32:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/?post_type=knowledge&p=41771"},"modified":"2025-09-05T15:32:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T15:32:46","slug":"sainsburys-launches-anti-shoplifting-measures","status":"publish","type":"knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/retail\/sainsburys-launches-anti-shoplifting-measures\/","title":{"rendered":"Sainsbury\u2019s launches facial recognition technology to combat theft"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sainsbury\u2019s is testing facial recognition technology in its stores to combat a rise in shoplifting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It says the technology will be used to identify and ban people who are abusive to staff or steal items from stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The supermarket is kicking off an eight-week trial at stores in south London and Bath, with a view to rolling out the technology nationwide in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sainsbury\u2019s decision to introduce facial recognition technology comes after figures show a 20 per cent rise in reports of shoplifting in 2024. However, privacy campaign groups have described the technology as \u2018chilling\u2019 and \u2018invasive\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does facial recognition technology work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The facial recognition technology being used by Sainsbury\u2019s will help it to identify people who shoplift or abuse staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The system can also issue alerts based on criminal behaviour submitted by the store or other retailers using the same technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sainsbury\u2019s said records would be deleted instantly if the software didn\u2019t recognise the face of reported individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same technology has also been used by large retailers such as Costcutter, Sports Direct, and Home Bargains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more:<\/strong> Rise of shoplifting \u2013 how to protect your shop from thieves<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Privacy concerns over facial recognition technology<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sainsbury\u2019s claims its use of facial recognition technology isn\u2019t about monitoring customers or employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch described the technology as \u2018Orwellian\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSainsbury\u2019s decision to trial facial recognition technology in its shops is deeply disproportionate and chilling,\u201d the group\u2019s Senior Advocacy Officer Madeleine Stone told the Press Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rise in shoplifting a problem for retailers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Almost a quarter (24 per cent) of people have witnessed shoplifting in the past year and 23 per cent have seen physical or verbal abuse of shop workers, according to research by the British Retail Consortium (BRC).\u2028<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, research by Simply Business found that more than one in 10 business owners have been, or know another business that has been, a victim of shoplifting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sainsbury\u2019s says incidents of shoplifting, threatening behaviour and abuse towards staff are on the rise. And that these issues are affecting their staff on a daily basis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other retailers that have introduced measures to combat shoplifting include Asda and Poundland<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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High street businesses waiting on stricter shoplifting punishments<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this year, the government launched the Crime and Policing Bill<\/a>, which includes measures to protect retail businesses from shoplifting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bill proposes to: <\/p>\n\n\n\n