Sainsbury’s is stepping into the future with a controversial but bold pilot program using facial recognition technology in select stores. The move is part of a broader effort to deter repeat offenders and aggressive behavior against staff—an issue that has increasingly plagued UK supermarkets.
The system, deployed quietly in two test locations, is designed to alert staff when flagged individuals enter the premises. It doesn’t store facial data for long and is intended solely for safety purposes. While privacy advocates have raised concerns, Sainsbury’s sees it as a necessary trial in the ongoing effort to make stores safer for workers and shoppers alike.
The experiment reflects a growing trend among retailers looking for new ways to address theft and antisocial behavior without compromising on customer service or operational efficiency.