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Customers at Tesco have been left chuckling at the introduction of AI technology utilized at some of the self-checkouts, with many noting its strong resemblance to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system commonly seen in football matches. The supermarket’s goal in implementing this technology is to combat shoplifting, achieved by installing overhead cameras that can detect when shoppers fail to properly scan an item. A live-action replay is then displayed to the customers, showcasing the item in question not being scanned.
Despite the humorous reactions from some shoppers towards the technology, others have expressed concerns that it may be taking things too far. In fact, some individuals have gone as far as to declare that they will no longer be using self-checkout due to this new feature. This initiative comes on the heels of a significant increase in shoplifting incidents across the UK in 2024, with record numbers being reported.
Official statistics from the Office for National Statistics reveal that instances of shoplifting reported by the police in England and Wales saw a steep 20% rise last year, amounting to 516,971 cases. Retailers independently reported even higher numbers of thefts, with data from the British Retail Consortium indicating a staggering 20.4 million incidents in the year leading up to last September, costing businesses an estimated £2 billion in losses.
Tesco has taken the step to integrate this technology into select stores to assist customers utilizing self-service checkouts in identifying items that haven’t been scanned accurately. The supermarket aims to streamline the checkout process, making it both faster and easier for shoppers. If an item fails to scan properly, customers are presented with a video replay on the self-service screen along with a message prompting them to remove the item from the bagging area and attempt scanning once more. Similar measures have been adopted by Sainsbury’s, which has implemented AI recognition technology at self-service checkouts in certain stores
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