Latest news with #VAR
Scotsman
13 hours ago
- Business
- Scotsman
'VAR cameras' in Tesco self checkouts spark privacy fears
The new AI checkout tech is turning heads — but shoppers are split between laughs and privacy concerns 👀 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Tesco has introduced AI-powered cameras at some self-checkouts to catch missed scans The system shows instant video replays, drawing comparisons to football's VAR Some shoppers find it amusing, while others feel it's invasive and unfair The move aims to reduce rising shoplifting amid a UK theft surge in 2024 Tesco staff welcome the tech as it helps monitor theft while easing checkout pressure Tesco has rolled out AI-powered cameras at some self-service checkouts to catch shoppers who forget (or try to avoid) scanning items. The technology comes complete with instant video replays of the 'offense,' and its uncanny resemblance to football's infamous Video Assistant Referee (VAR) hasn't gone unnoticed. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Social media users have been quick to mock the supermarket's new 'VAR' tech, with videos of the checkouts racking up millions of views. The system works by spotting when an item hasn't scanned properly, then flashing a live-action replay on the screen with a polite message: 'The last item wasn't scanned properly. Remove from bagging area and try again.' (Photo:) | Getty Images Not everyone is impressed. While some customers find the tech amusing, others worry it's a slippery slope toward Big Brother-style surveillance. One user on Bluesky wondered, 'What's next? Drones following you around the aisles?' Another Facebook commenter vowed never to use Tesco's self-checkouts again. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tesco says it hopes this will speed up the checkout experience and cut down on theft — a major issue as shoplifting in the UK soared to record levels in 2024. According to the Office for National Statistics, shoplifting offences recorded by police jumped 20% last year to over half a million incidents in England and Wales. Retailer reports paint an even grimmer picture: the British Retail Consortium estimates more than 20 million thefts cost UK shops £2 billion in the year leading up to September 2024. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tesco staff seem to welcome their new AI helpers. One anonymous worker told the BBC they often feel like 'a security guard' juggling multiple checkouts alone — and that shoplifting attempts are common. But customer Heather, 30, from Nottingham, says the new technology feels intrusive and unfairly penalises honest customers who use self-scan properly. "Yes, you have cameras following you everywhere in the store, but this is simply too invasive," she told the BBC. 'If stores are so paranoid about shoppers stealing goods, then they should go back to staffed tills instead of wasting money on this invasive technology." The AI rollout follows similar moves by rivals like Sainsbury's, which recently installed AI recognition tech on their own self-service lanes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Retailers are clearly stepping up efforts to combat theft, which has pushed some to take drastic measures: Greggs has started moving self-serve food behind counters at high-theft locations, and supermarkets have tagged expensive items or swapped coffee for empty, display jars. Tesco previously experimented with giant trolley scales to catch thieves at its Trinity Square Extra store in Gateshead — a move that also divided shoppers, with one Reddit user quipping, 'Am I at border control or Tesco?' In the battle against shoplifting, it seems supermarkets are not just watching what you buy — they're watching how you buy it, too. Are you struggling to make ends meet as costs continue to rise? You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Scotsman
16 hours ago
- Business
- Scotsman
'VAR cameras' in Tesco self checkouts spark privacy fears
The new AI checkout tech is turning heads — but shoppers are split between laughs and privacy concerns 👀 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Tesco has introduced AI-powered cameras at some self-checkouts to catch missed scans The system shows instant video replays, drawing comparisons to football's VAR Some shoppers find it amusing, while others feel it's invasive and unfair The move aims to reduce rising shoplifting amid a UK theft surge in 2024 Tesco staff welcome the tech as it helps monitor theft while easing checkout pressure Tesco has rolled out AI-powered cameras at some self-service checkouts to catch shoppers who forget (or try to avoid) scanning items. The technology comes complete with instant video replays of the 'offense,' and its uncanny resemblance to football's infamous Video Assistant Referee (VAR) hasn't gone unnoticed. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Social media users have been quick to mock the supermarket's new 'VAR' tech, with videos of the checkouts racking up millions of views. The system works by spotting when an item hasn't scanned properly, then flashing a live-action replay on the screen with a polite message: 'The last item wasn't scanned properly. Remove from bagging area and try again.' (Photo:) | Getty Images Not everyone is impressed. While some customers find the tech amusing, others worry it's a slippery slope toward Big Brother-style surveillance. One user on Bluesky wondered, 'What's next? Drones following you around the aisles?' Another Facebook commenter vowed never to use Tesco's self-checkouts again. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tesco says it hopes this will speed up the checkout experience and cut down on theft — a major issue as shoplifting in the UK soared to record levels in 2024. According to the Office for National Statistics, shoplifting offences recorded by police jumped 20% last year to over half a million incidents in England and Wales. Retailer reports paint an even grimmer picture: the British Retail Consortium estimates more than 20 million thefts cost UK shops £2 billion in the year leading up to September 2024. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tesco staff seem to welcome their new AI helpers. One anonymous worker told the BBC they often feel like 'a security guard' juggling multiple checkouts alone — and that shoplifting attempts are common. But customer Heather, 30, from Nottingham, says the new technology feels intrusive and unfairly penalises honest customers who use self-scan properly. "Yes, you have cameras following you everywhere in the store, but this is simply too invasive," she told the BBC. 'If stores are so paranoid about shoppers stealing goods, then they should go back to staffed tills instead of wasting money on this invasive technology." The AI rollout follows similar moves by rivals like Sainsbury's, which recently installed AI recognition tech on their own self-service lanes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Retailers are clearly stepping up efforts to combat theft, which has pushed some to take drastic measures: Greggs has started moving self-serve food behind counters at high-theft locations, and supermarkets have tagged expensive items or swapped coffee for empty, display jars. Tesco previously experimented with giant trolley scales to catch thieves at its Trinity Square Extra store in Gateshead — a move that also divided shoppers, with one Reddit user quipping, 'Am I at border control or Tesco?' In the battle against shoplifting, it seems supermarkets are not just watching what you buy — they're watching how you buy it, too.
Western Telegraph
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Western Telegraph
VAR could be installed at Haverfordwest County AFC stadium
In the application to Pembrokeshire County Council, the Football Association of Wales seeks permission for the installation of a VAR video operations room and associated works at Bridge Meadow Stadium, Bridge Meadow, Haverfordwest. A supporting statement through agent Wardell Armstrong says: 'The Football Association Wales has recognised opportunities to strengthen, improve and build the standard of football and the image associated with Wales's top football league. 'The launch of the Cymru Premier Strategy 2024-2030 has detailed plans to improve the standard of the Cymru Premier League's club facilities, brands, and awareness, alongside strengthening the Cymru Premier 'on pitch' product over a six-year period. 'The implementation of VAR as part of this plan will allow referees to perform at the highest possible level, providing quality decision-making to benefit players, fans and television audiences.' It says VAR 'comprises of a Video Assistant Referee who is a qualified official that watches video footage of the game with access to multiple screens, angles and replays with the purpose of assisting the on-field officials to come to the correct decision,' adding: 'VAR is used globally, currently assisting referees in associated football leagues of over 70 countries to minimise the risk of human error and to enable the referee to make the correct decision using video technology. 'VAR Light will be deployed in the Cymru Premier from season 2025/2026 covering all Cymru Premier matches. VAR Light works on the same principles as VAR – with a Video Assistant Referee but without a replay operator.' It goes on to say: 'Imagery from VAR camera installations will be sent to a self-contained Video Operations Room, where the VAR will be situated. The match referee will undertake any recommended on-field reviews in a designated Referee Review Area adjacent to the pitch, where a monitor will be installed on match days. 'A review of the infrastructure at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium has concluded that the Video Operations Room cannot be provided within existing buildings and as such it will be necessary to provide new additional accommodation.' The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.
ITV News
16 hours ago
- Business
- ITV News
'Your items are offside': Tesco rolls out 'VAR-style' checkouts that record customers scanning
Tesco's new "VAR-style" self-checkouts have caused mixed reactions from customers, with the retail giant's latest effort to deter shoplifters being mocked on social media. The self-checkout system has been introduced into some stores, in line with a number of other retailers as the retail industry battles to contain a record rise in shoplifting. The new checkout system includes an overhead camera which records customers scanning and packing their shopping. Most customers will be used to the dreaded "unidentified item in bagging area" message but the new system, which uses AI technology, plays videos to the customer if they scan an item incorrectly. It also includes a message saying "the last item wasn't scanned properly". The AI technology has led to some customers and social media users joking that it is similar to Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology used in football. Replying to this video which has been shared across social media, some viewers commented that the milk was "offside". A Tesco spokesperson said: "We are always looking at technology to make life easier for our customers. "We have recently installed a new system at some stores which helps customers using self-service checkouts identify if an item has not been scanned properly, making the checkout process quicker and easier." But not all shoppers agree, with many sharing their thoughts on the new system on social media. One instagram user poked fun at the new system in a comment: "Careful if you've already scanned one yellow label, two and you're off!" But some customers are unhappy with the new changes. One person on X (formerly Twitter) said: "This is disgusting public shaming from #Tesco; simply avoid this supermarket that is too lazy to open more tills and staff them properly." Other social media users defended the new system, one saying: "If you have nothing to hide there's no reason not to use it - it's there to stop shoplifting and therefore keep prices down, so will benefit honest shoppers in the long run." Some people questioned whether it would be able to deter shoplifters altogether, asking: "How does this prevent people putting stuff in shopping bag when they take it off shelf?" How bad is retail crime? Figures from April show that retail crime is now at the highest levels ever since policing records began, with over half a million offences in the last year alone. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed shoplifting offences had increased by 20% from 429,873 offences last year, to 516,971 this year. It was the first time half a million offences had been surpassed since policing records began in March 2003. But that number could be a drop in the ocean, because so many incidents are not reported by shopkeepers. Earlier this year the British Retail Consortium said theft had reached an "all-time high", with over 20 million incidents in 2023/24, costing retailers £2.2 billion. The trade association claimed that retail crime was "spiralling out of control" What are other retailers doing? Sainsbury's rolled out similar AI self-checkout technology across some of its stores earlier this month. While Greggs has announced it has had to remove self-service kiosks in some stores to try to fend off shoplifting. In at least five stores, sandwiches and drinks are now kept behind counters after a spate of thefts. Asda is trialling facial recognition technology in five of its Greater Manchester stores, in a bid to reduce retail crime. The two-month trial will see the faces of shoppers scanned from CCTV and compared to a database of "individuals who have previously committed criminal activity on an Asda site". If a match is found, Asda's head office security team will alert the store. Home Bargains, Southern Co-op, Budgens, Costcutter and several independent convenience stores use similar technology.
The Independent
18 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Shoppers mock ‘VAR-style' Tesco self-checkout cameras
Shoppers have mocked a new Tesco VAR-style security measure that tries to prevent people from 'conning' self-service checkouts. The UK's biggest supermarket chain has installed overhead cameras, which pick up whether customers have failed to scan an item, before playing an instant replay of mistakes alongside the message: 'The last item wasn't scanned properly. Remove from bagging area and try again.' The retailer said it would make the checkout process 'quicker and easier', but customers have mocked the technology online. 'VAR Decision - Tuna Disallowed', one Instagram commenter said. 'Clearly offside', another joked. 'Good process lads.' One shopper complained on Reddit that the technology only held up queues even more. They said: 'Bag of salad a couple of days ago, with barcode that was too close to the weld/join of the bag itself - me swiping like a madman - and the overhead VAR showing me the video footage of my wee bald patch as I'm desperately trying to do the right thing.' 'If their answer to stopping theft is to annoy people that don't steal from you, you shouldn't be surprised if theft is on the rise,' another user posted. One Tesco worker told the BBC that staff, like referees, needed all the help they could get as customers try to 'con' the system. "I work on self-service for Tesco and feel like I double up as a security guard," the anonymous staff member said. "You're not paid very well anyway and then you have tills to look after. "I quite often have to monitor 10 self-checkouts, on my own, whilst two staff cover manual checkouts," they said. It comes as the number of shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales in a year surpassed half a million for the first time on record, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Police recorded 516,971 shoplifting offences in 2024, a 20 per cent increase on the 429,873 offences in 2023 and the highest number recorded since modern record-keeping practices began in 2003. The ONS said shoplifting offences have been running at record levels for the past two years, noting a "sharp rise" following the Covid-19 pandemic. The Independent has contacted Tesco for comment.
