Woolworths has revealed a raft of latest controversial safety measures that could possibly be rolled out throughout its shops in a bid to curb what it says is rampant shoplifting.
The grocery store large is trialling computerized gates and new hi-tech sensors at its Fairfield retailer in NSW, with different websites deliberate for enlargement.
The new sensor know-how would cease shoplifters useless of their tracks. The retailer says it’s an extra measure to scale back inventory loss and preserve employees and clients secure.
A Woolworths spokesman stated the rollout would additionally embrace shops in Wentworthville and Randwick Metro in NSW, together with shops in Moorabbin, Millers Junction and Woodgrove in Victoria.
Sensors situated on the roof would determine when somebody enters the self-checkout space, assigning them a digital ID.
Alongside the digital ID might be a pink marker till the shopper has paid at one of many checkouts, at which level it can flip inexperienced.
Once inexperienced, the gate will routinely open when the shopper has walked as much as it.
The Woolworths spokesman stated clients could be unidentifiable all through the method and every digital ID could be deleted once they left the shop.
Signage might be situated on the entrance of the shop and on the entry to the self-serve checkout space to inform clients of the trial.
In an indication to 7 News, Woolworths spokesman Mark van den Bosch confirmed how the gates remained shut when he tried to take items he hadn’t paid for out of the shop.
“We’ve seen an increased activity of non-paying customers,” Mr van den Bosch stated.
A Woolworths spokesman stated crime was growing in shops.
“We continue to look at additional measures that will help reduce retail crime; however, we do understand that most customers do the right thing at the checkout,” the spokesman stated.
Data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) reveals retail theft was up 23 per cent within the final two years to December 2022.
It follows massive declines throughout 2020-21 from the Covid-19 pandemic.
In an announcement, BOCSAR stated crime volumes for retail theft have been returning to pre-pandemic ranges.
Woolworths’ new measures are along with the drastic announcement that clients could be filmed at self-serve check-outs as a part of new safety updates.
The trial, which started at Seven Hills in Sydney’s west final 12 months however then expanded to a whole lot of shops alongside the east coast, was to cease “accidental” improper scans in case individuals have been making an attempt to scan costly gadgets as cheaper ones.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
