Sainsbury's issues update as it makes major change to self checkouts

Wales Online

06-05-2025

Sainsbury's issues update as it makes major change to self checkouts
The move hopes to act as a "deterrent to shoplifters"
Self-checkout systems have become increasingly prevalent in UK supermarkets
(Image: Streetview )
Sainsbury's has issued an update after making a major change to its self-checkout counters in a bid to crack down on theft, it has been reported. Shoppers who failed to scan their items properly at the self-checkout will be shown VAR-style replays before leaving the supermarket.
A camera that is placed above the counters records packing actions at the till and if any item is bagged without scanning, the video of it will be shown to the shoppers and told: 'Looks like that last item didn't scan. Please check you scanned it correctly before continuing.'
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This new technology has already started being rolled out across the UK, and shoppers have mixed reactions.
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One of them said they were sent the warning because the packet of basil they bought was 'too light'.
Another added: 'Thanks to Sainsbury's, I can now re-live and learn from my packing mistakes.
'I can almost hear (Sky pundit) Jamie Carragher lamenting my positioning.'
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A retail source said told the publication: 'It's a deterrent to shoplifters. Most people have made a genuine mistake while scanning, which is detected by the scales.
'It's a more gentle reminder than red flashing lights and a member of staff coming over.'
Self-checkout systems have become increasingly prevalent in UK supermarkets, offering convenience and efficiency for customers. However, their rise has coincided with a notable increase in shoplifting incidents.
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Sainsbury's confirmed the news on X
(Image: Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images )
In 2024, the UK experienced a significant surge in shoplifting, with over 516,000 recorded incidents, marking a 20% increase from the previous year. Despite this uptick, only about 14% of these cases resulted in charges.
The British Retail Consortium estimates that retail theft costs businesses approximately £2 billion each year. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter
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Common methods include "skip scanning," where items are not scanned at all, or scanning cheaper items in place of more expensive ones, reports The Sun.
A study indicated that 6.7% of transactions at self-checkouts involved some form of theft, with one in five shoppers admitting to accidental theft and one in seven to intentional theft.
The increase in shoplifting has prompted discussions about the effectiveness of current legal frameworks, as well as new innovations in supermarket technology.
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Lots of the more expensive items are now stored in locked plastic boxes, and some shelves have rigid covers to purposefully make it harder for shoppers to take things from the shelves.
Security guards are usually positioned on the doors of every convenience store and supermarket in the UK. For example in Sainsbury's there are security guards from the Mitie Group in almost every Sainsbury's store, with some guards working undercover.
Sensors also track when high-value items such as steaks are taken off the shelves, alerting staff with a loud beeping sound.
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Clear warnings through signage about surveillance and prosecution help supermarkets deter casual theft, as well as CCTV cameras.