In some of its stores, Tesco has installed a camera above its self-service checkouts. The camera records customers scanning and packing their items. The system then uses AI to detect when an item may not have been scanned
Tesco has made a huge change to its stores as it becomes the latest supermarket chain to launch VAR-style replays at its self-checkout tills.
In some of its stores, Tesco has installed a camera above its self-service checkouts. The camera records customers scanning and packing their items. The system then uses AI to detect when an item may not have been scanned.
If an item is bagged without scanning, a video replay will be shown to the shoppers with a message reading: “The last item wasn’t scanned properly. Remove it from the bagging area and try again.”
It is unclear when the cameras were first installed in stores. Tesco has not confirmed exactly how many of its UK supermarket stores have this new measure in place, or whether it will be rolled out across its whole estate.
According to one retail source, early indications show that the measure is “effective” and is deterring theft. The source told the Sun: “This is different to a live camera because many shoplifters assume nobody is watching.
“If 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. A great deal of shoplifters simply will keep going, whatever the stores do. But it will deter some, and much like Tesco’s slogan, every little helps.”
READ MORE: M&S cyber attack: What to do when a business is targeted by hackersREAD MORE: May 2025 bank holiday supermarket opening times including Tesco, Aldi and Asda
A Tesco spokesperson said: “We 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.”
Ealier this month it was revealed that Sainsbury’s had also installed a similar security measure in some of its UK stores. Again, a camera looks directly down over the till and packing station, and if any item is bagged without scanning, the video of it will be shown to the shoppers and told: “Looks like that last item didn’t scan. Please check you scanned it correctly before continuing.”
When prices started to rise in 2022, supermarkets across the country began implementing new security measures. These measures included adding security tags to items, putting products in security boxes, placing empty products on shelves, limiting items on shelves, and requiring customers to scan receipts to leave stores.
According to data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) published in October last year, shoplifting offences recorded by police rose by 29% in the 12 months to June 2024 – reaching a 20-year high.
Police logged 516,971 incidents of shoplifting last year — up from 429,873 in 2023. Tom Ironside, of the British Retail Consortium, said the crime is costing firms £2billion a year.
In February this year, Tesco announced a specialist security centre at its warehouse in Daventry, Northants, which monitors shoplifting across its store estate 24 hours a day.
Security boss Emma Sparrock said: “Our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our colleagues and customers has never been stronger. This move is a symbol of our team’s growth, and we’re ready to face what lies ahead with a renewed sense of purpose and determination.”
READ MORE: Boden shoppers ‘feel amazing’ in ‘really flattering’ summer dress that’s on sale