5 Ways Retailers are Tackling Retail Theft

Retail theft and shrink have moved to the top of the agenda. Retailers are putting in place a range of measures to counteract the persistent threat of theft, deploying technologies and data-driven solutions, and forging collaborative partnerships to protect profitability.

by Stewart Samuel

Kroger, USA: Optimizing new checkout technologies

US-based Kroger has partnered with Everseen to minimize losses at selfcheckouts and staffed checkout lanes. The Visual AI application from Everseen analyses shopper behaviour at the checkout in real time using video footage. It can identify mis-scans to more deliberate acts to switch prices or not scan products correctly. Shoppers are prompted to self-correct via the checkout screen. If this fails, store staff are alerted via a mobile device to intervene and scan the item.

Morrisons, UK: Connecting shoppers with store teams

Many retailers have sought to tackle this issue by placing high-value products into locked cases. With this approach, a fine balance must be found between protecting profitability and maximizing sales opportunities. Morrisons has partnered with VoCoVo, using its Call Points technology within its alcohol departments. Customers wishing to purchase an item in a locked cabinet can press a call button that immediately generates an audible message that is sent to store teams via a headset, enabling a fast response to the request.

Walgreens, USA: Testing new store formats

Several retailers have been piloting digital-first physical store concepts as part of the solution in tackling retail crime. Walgreens’ store in Chicago’s South Loop features a unique layout for the retailer. As customers enter, they’re met by a greeter in the lobby area who is there to welcome and assist them with shopping via kiosk. The kiosks offer the retailer’s full range, with orders fulfilled by Walgreens team members. These can be picked up and paid for within minutes at an order pickup desk.

Coles, Australia: Sharing intelligence

Coles, along with its leading competitor Woolworths, partnered with Auror, an online platform for logging incidents in store, ranging from theft to accidents. Using AI, it can identify individuals across different reports, providing law enforcement agencies with evidence to support investigations and resolve cases faster. It can also be used to support in-store security personnel in real time if it identifies a crime being committed.

Nisa, UK: Leveraging in-store cameras

A London convenience store that is part of the Nisa network has been using AI and its in-store cameras to identify potential shoplifting incidents. Through a partnership with Veesion, staff are alerted through a dedicated app, with a video sent when suspicious movement is detected. As store staff respond to each alert, the system continues to improve in terms of identifying potential incidents. Store losses are reported to have fallen from £1,000 a week to less than £100.