Asda rolls out major change in UK stores in security crackdown
The supermarket chain is launching a new security measure in stores to improve customer and staff safety.
Asda has rolled out new live facial recognition technology in five UK stores in a crackdown on security to improve staff and customer safety.
The trial began on Monday, March 31 and will last for two months at stores in Ashton, Chadderton, Eastlands, Harpurhey and Trafford Park, all based in Greater Manchester. Asda has said it will use the trial to assess how the technology can be used to improve store safety, after more than 1,4000 assaults were recorded against its store staff last year.
The supermarket said the trial comes at a time when retailers are facing an epidemic of retail crime, with more than 2,000 incidents of violence and abuse recorded against shopworkers every day, according to the BRC trade body - a threefold increase since 2020.
Asda said it recorded 1,400 assaults on its staff in 2024, which amounts to an average of four per day.
In light of the figures, Asda says it is now exploring new ways to tackle the problem including trailing new facial recognition technology in stores.
The technology is integrated into Asda’s existing CCTV network and works by scanning images and comparing the results to a known list of individuals who have previously committed criminal activity on an Asda site.
If a match is found by the automated system, a member of the Asda head office security team will conduct a check and feedback to the store in a matter of seconds.
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Asda said the trial in Greater Manchester will run for an initial period of two months and the results will then be assessed before any decision is made on whether to extend the trial, or roll it out to further locations.
Liz Evans, Chief Commercial Officer – Non-food and Retail at Asda, said: “The rise in shoplifting and threats and violence against shopworkers in recent years is unacceptable and as a responsible retailer we have to look at all options to reduce the number of offences committed in our stores and protect our colleagues.
“We consistently look for new ways to improve the security in our stores and this trial will help us understand if facial recognition technology can reduce the number of incidents and provide greater protection to everybody in our stores.”
