Woolworths introduces controversial new security measures
- Trial uses high technology sensors and automatic gate
- Technology used only in self-checkout areas
- Retailer hopes to prevent increase in shoplifting
Woolworths is testing new security technology that will make it impossible for a customer to exist without paying to curb an increase in shoplifting.
The supermarket group is testing the technology at its Fairfield store, in western Sydney, from Wednesday, with other stores in NSW and Victoria to follow.
It is the first time Woolworths has used the technology, which includes sensors on the roof and an automatic gate at the self-service checkouts.
When customers enter the self-service checkout, sensors on the roof identify someone who has approached and receive a digital ID.
Next to the digital ID is a red mark until the customer has paid at one of the registers, after which it will turn green.
The trial includes automatic gates (pictured) at the exit of the self-service checkout and will only open once a customer has paid for their goods
A sensor on the roof identifies customers in the self-service checkout with a unique digital ID and sends a signal to the exit gate when the customer has paid
Once a customer has paid, the sensors send a signal to open the exit gate so they can leave.
However, if the sensors detect that a customer hasn’t paid — either by pretending to pay or trying to walk straight out — the gates will remain closed, blocking the exit.
Woolworths told Daily Mail Australia that shoppers will remain unidentifiable throughout the process, as the technology does not use facial recognition or CCTV.
Shoppers are assigned a digital ID when using self-checkout, which is removed the moment they leave the store.
The retail giant has seen a spike in shoplifting and hopes the technology will help combat theft in its stores.
“We recently started a trial of new in-store sensor technology to reduce stock loss and keep our customers and team safe,” Woolworths told Daily Mail Australia.
“This is one of many initiatives, both covert and overt, to minimize retail crime in store networks across the Group.
“All retailers are experiencing an increase in retail crime, and we are no exception.
“We continue to look at additional measures that help reduce retail crime, but we understand that most customers are doing the right thing at the checkout.”
Sensors track customers as they move through the self-service checkout (pictured), keeping shoppers unidentifiable throughout the process
The sensors laid out by the supermarket will only be located within the self-service checkouts and express lanes.
The trial will expand to a further five Woolworths stores in the coming month, including Moorabbin, Millers Junction and Woodgrove in Victoria and Wentworthville and Randwick Metro in New South Wales.
Woolworths has provided information and signage about the trial at the front of the Fairfield store in several languages for its customers.
Shoplifting costs Australian retailers up to $9 billion a year, with less than 20 percent of retail crime reported to the police, according to the National Retail Association.