With retail crime rising across the UK, it is more important than ever that we ensure safety is at the heart of our stores. We have already made a series of investments to improve safety in our stores in recent years. We led the way as the first UK retailer to roll out colleague worn cameras in 2018 and have since strengthened our protective measures with security officers, instore detectives, entry barriers, protective screens and enhanced product security.
But with incidents of aggression, theft and intimidation continuing to rise, we know we need to go further.
USDAW’s recent survey found that 77% of shopworkers have faced verbal abuse and more than half have been threatened. [2] The British Retail Consortium has reported there are 2,000 incidents of violence and abuse across UK retailers every day. [1]
When colleagues tell us they’re worried about their physical safety, we have a responsibility to act. A safe environment for colleagues helps ensure customers feel safe too - no one should feel at risk simply going about their day.
Extending our use of facial recognition technology to keep people safe
In September, we began trialling facial recognition technology in two of our stores.
The early results have been encouraging. Trial stores saw a 46% reduction in theft, harm, aggression and antisocial behaviour and 92% of offenders did not return, meaning fewer frightening moments for colleagues and a more reassuring experience for customers.
Building on these results, we are now extending the technology to five further London stores - Dalston, Elephant and Castle, Ladbroke Grove, Camden and Whitechapel. Our original stores in Sydenham and Bath Oldfield Park will also continue using the Facewatch system.
This expansion is intentional and transparent. It helps us understand how facial recognition works when several stores in the same area adopt it at the same time, while giving colleagues and customers confidence in how it’s being introduced. Clear signage is in place at all stores using the technology, so customers know it is in operation.
Everyone can learn more about how it works here. We have plans to bring the technology into more stores nationwide but will continue to assess how it performs as we introduce it more widely.
Putting privacy and trust at the heart of the trial
We know privacy matters deeply to people. That’s why our use of this technology has been designed with strong safeguards. The Facewatch system has a 99.98% accuracy rate and every alert is reviewed by trained colleagues before any action is taken.
The system is designed solely to identify individuals who have previously shown violent, aggressive or criminal behaviour in participating stores - it is not used to monitor everyday shoppers or colleagues. If the system does not recognise someone, the image is deleted instantly.
Our ongoing commitment to safety
Sainsbury’s has a long record of leading the way on store safety and we will continue to invest in measures that support our colleagues and create secure, welcoming places to work and shop.
Colleagues should never feel at risk while doing their jobs and customers should always feel comfortable in our stores. That’s why we are taking these steps and why we will continue to put safety first across every part of our business.
References
[1] British Retail Consortium and other industry sources reporting increases in violence and abuse in retail.
[2] USDAW Freedom From Fear survey: 77% of shop workers experienced verbal abuse; 53% were threatened.