Asda has initiated a trial of Live Facial Recognition technology at five of its Greater Manchester stores. This trial aims to evaluate the technology’s potential to enhance the safety of both employees and customers within the retail environment.
The implementation of this trial coincides with a significant surge in retail crime. Industry data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) indicates that daily incidents of violence and abuse against retail staff have surpassed 2,000, representing a threefold increase since 2020. Asda’s internal records reflect this trend, with approximately 1,400 reported assaults on its staff in the past year, averaging four incidents per day.
In response to the escalating threat of retail crime, Asda, along with other retailers, is investigating innovative security measures, including facial recognition technology. This technology is integrated with Asda’s existing closed-circuit television (CCTV) system. It functions by analyzing captured images and comparing them against a database of individuals previously identified as having engaged in criminal activity at Asda locations. Upon detecting a potential match, the system promptly alerts Asda’s central security team, who then conduct a verification process and provide real-time feedback to the relevant store.
Liz Evans, Chief Commercial Officer – Non-food and Retail at Asda, said: “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.”
The trial is being conducted at five stores in Greater Manchester: Ashton, Chadderton, Harpurhey, Eastlands, and Trafford Park. The initial phase of the trial is scheduled for two months, after which the results will be assessed to determine the feasibility of extending the trial or implementing the technology at additional locations.
