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Wales Online
5 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Iceland boss offers reward to anyone who spots a shoplifter in their stores
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The chief executive supermarket chain Iceland has said the firm will reward customers who help catch shoplifters in their outlets nationwide. Richard Walker told Channel 5 News that with the Deeside-based business suffering substantial losses from theft, the grocery chain will offer £1 to any shopper who spots stealing in their premises. The chief executive explained that shoplifting has become a major issue for the firm, costing them "over £20 million a year". The British grocery retailer runs more than 970 outlets across the UK, including 66 locations in Wales. To receive the £1 reward, shoppers must be members of the supermarket's loyalty programme and possess an Iceland Bonus Card, reports Wales Online. Walker informed Channel 5 News: "I'd like to announce that we will give £1 to any customer who points out a shoplifter. (Image: Channel 5) "We'll put it on their bonus card if they see any customer in our stores who are undertaking that offence." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Should you notify a member of staff at an Iceland outlet about a shopper discovered to be stealing, you will receive £1. The Iceland chief executive also stated that theft "keeps prices from being lowered" as it costs the company millions of pounds each year. He explained: "We'd like out customers to help lower our prices even more by pointing out shoplifters and then we'll give them a quid back." This follows the supermarket's introduction of facial recognition technology at its checkouts in June this year, as part of measures to tackle theft and protect staff from violence. The system involves cameras scanning the faces of customers and cross-referencing them with a database of known troublemakers, subsequently alerting store employees if there's a match. If the trials are successful, Iceland may consider rolling out this technology across all its stores. Facewatch is also utilised by several other retailers including Home Bargains, B&M, House of Fraser, Sports Direct, and Evans Cycles. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Iceland boss says he'll give a pound to every shopper who spots a shoplifter
Iceland boss says he'll give a pound to every shopper who spots a shoplifter Richard Walker has said that shoplifting is keeping prices from being lowered Iceland's boss said that the company loses out on millions of pounds from theft (Image: Channel 5 ) The boss of supermarket chain Iceland has announced that the company will be giving back to customers who help identify shoplifters at their stores across the UK. Richard Walker, told Channel 5 News that as the company is facing significant losses due to shoplifting, so the food store will be giving £1 to any customer that spots theft within their store. The boss said that shoplifting is becoming a significant problem for the company that costs the company "over £20 million a year". The British food retailer operates over 970 stores throughout the UK, with 66 being in Wales. To earn the £1 thank you, you must be part of the supermarket's loyalty scheme and have an Iceland Bonus Card. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here Frozen food at Iceland Walker told Channel 5 News: "I'd like to announce that we will give £1 to any customer who points out a shoplifter. Article continues below "We'll put it on their bonus card if they see any customer in our stores who are undertaking that offence." If you alert a member of staff working at an Iceland store about a customer who is found to be a shoplifter, you will be awarded £1. The Iceland boss also confirmed that shoplifting "keeps prices from being lowered" as it costs the business millions of pound annually. He said: "We'd like out customers to help lower our prices even more by pointing out shoplifters and then we'll give them a quid back." This comes after the company introduced facial recognition technology at its tills in June this year in an effort to combat theft and violence against staff. The installation involves cameras scanning customer faces and comparing them to a database of known troublemakers, which in turn alerts store employees when there's a match. Article continues below Should the trials prove successful, Iceland could extend this facility across stores. Facewatch is also used by many other retailers including Home Bargains, B&M, House of Fraser, Sports Direct, and Evans Cycles
Wales Online
28-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Iceland supermarkets make major change to checkouts that will spark controversy
Iceland supermarkets make major change to checkouts that will spark controversy The technology is being tested in two of the retailer's stores and could be rolled out further if the trials are successful Cameras embedded into the checkout process will examine shoppers' features Iceland is rolling out facial recognition technology at its tills in a revolutionary overhaul designed to curb theft and safeguard employees, with two branches already trialling the advanced system. Cameras embedded into the checkout process will examine shoppers' features and cross-reference them with a database of individuals known for causing disturbances, alerting staff when there's a match. Following successful trials, Iceland might introduce this system more broadly among its locations. Facewatch, the surveillance software, is already employed by numerous retail chains including Home Bargains, BandM, and several Frasers Group brands such as Flannels, House of Fraser, Sports Direct, and Evans Cycles. An official from Iceland expressed: "Following a robust due diligence process, we can confirm that our facial recognition trial is now live in two stores and will expand further this year." He continued: "This is part of our continued investment into tackling violent retail crime and protecting the safety of our colleagues and customers." Article continues below The early part of the year saw Iceland announce intentions to inaugurate 20 additional Iceland and Food Warehouse shops, along with the introduction of a grand new £100 million distribution hub occupying 500,000 square feet in Warrington. This large distribution centre located at Omega Park Site in Warrington began operations with GXO as a partner in February, providing goods to around 350 Iceland outlets throughout Wales, the north west of England, and the Scottish borders. In December, Iceland introduced an initiative to support the senior community by offering a 10% discount every Tuesday to those aged over 60 at both Iceland and The Food Warehouse stores, with no minimum spend required. Customers can avail of the discount by showing a valid form of identification such as a senior bus pass, driving licence, senior railcard, or freedom pass. Article continues below Iceland's managing director, Richard Walker, expressed his contentment with the success of the scheme: "We are so pleased with how well the over-60s discount has been received by the public and love hearing stories from customers who are benefiting from the discount." He further commented on the ongoing financial challenges: "The cost of living crisis continues to cause distress in the everyday lives of these customers and that's why we want to keep doing what we can to support them."
Wales Online
26-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Iceland makes major change in stores to crackdown on theft and violence
Iceland makes major change in stores to crackdown on theft and violence The supermarket is introducing facial recognition technology at its tills The cameras could be rolled out across the UK (Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images ) Iceland is implementing facial recognition technology at its tills as part of a significant shake-up of its checkout processes. The move is in response to efforts to combat theft and violence targeting staff, with two outlets already piloting the system. The installation involves cameras scanning customer faces and comparing them to a database of known troublemakers, which in turn alerts store employees when there's a match. Should the trials prove successful, Iceland could extend this facility across stores. Facewatch is also used by many other retailers including Home Bargains, B&M, and members of the Frasers Group such as Flannels, House of Fraser, Sports Direct, and Evans Cycles, reports the Mirror. An Iceland spokesperson commented: "Following a robust due diligence process, we can confirm that our facial recognition trial is now live in two stores and will expand further this year. "This is part of our continued investment into tackling violent retail crime and protecting the safety of our colleagues and customers." Article continues below Earlier this year, the firm unveiled plans to open 20 new Iceland and Food Warehouse stores, and has also launched a new £100 million distribution centre spanning 500,000 square feet in Warrington. The Omega Park Site in Warrington, which commenced operations in partnership with GXO in February, supplies approximately 350 Iceland stores across Wales, the north west of England and the Scottish borders. In December Iceland launched an initiative to help older people. It gives those over 60 a 10% discount every Tuesday across Iceland and The Food Warehouse stores without a minimum spend. To claim the discount shoppers simply need to show a valid ID be it a senior bus pass, driver's licence, senior railcard, or a freedom pass. Richard Walker, the managing director at Iceland, said: "We are so pleased with how well the over-60s discount has been received by the public and love hearing stories from customers who are benefiting from the discount. Article continues below "The cost of living crisis continues to cause distress in the everyday lives of these customers and that's why we want to keep doing what we can to support them."
Daily Mirror
25-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Iceland is making major change to checkouts and 'will expand' to more stores
The cameras check customers faces against a database of known offenders, it then triggers an alert to staff to the store when a match is made Iceland is set to install facial recognition in stores as part of a major change to its checkouts. It comes as part of a crackdown on theft and violence against staff, with two stores already testing the technology. The cameras check customers faces against a database of known offenders, it then triggers an alert to staff to the store when a match is made. If successful, the technology could be rolled out to more Iceland stores. Facewatch is also used by Home Bargains, B&M and Frasers Group – including Flannels, House of Fraser, Sports Direct and Evans Cycles. An Iceland spokesperson said: "Following a robust due diligence process, we can confirm that our facial recognition trial is now live in two stores and will expand further this year. "This is part of our continued investment into tackling violent retail crime and protecting the safety of our colleagues and customers." It comes after Iceland closed its store in Margate, Kent, last weekend, with its store in Inverness, Scotland, following on July 12. Shoppers have reacted to the news on social media. One said: 'Wow they been there as long as I can remember they one of the original shops in that area such a shame.' Another commented: 'This is awful all the elderly people that use this and Morrisons to do the weekly shops will now suffer once again.' A third said: 'Such a shame I remember when it opened.' Iceland, which has over 900 stores across the UK, has not confirmed the reason behind the closures. The supermarket has closed a handful of stores over the last few months, including its Welling branch in London. Its shops in Shenley Road, Borehamwood and Alphington Road Retail Park in Exeter have also been shut down. But it isn't all bad news. The retailer has also opened new stores. Last month, Iceland opened a new city centre supermarket in Derby and another shop at Victoria Chambers on London Road. Earlier this year, the company announced plans to open 20 Iceland and Food Warehouse stores, and the supermarket has also opened a new 500,000 square foot £100million distribution centre in Warrington. The Omega Park Site in Warrington - which opened in partnership with GXO in February - supplies around 350 Iceland stores across the north west of England, the Scottish borders and Wales.
