**Sainsbury’s Unveils ‘VAR-style’ Self-Checkout Surveillance in Bid to Curb Shoplifting**
Sainsbury’s has announced the nationwide rollout of a new, high-tech surveillance system across its self-checkout tills, aiming to deter shoplifting and reduce theft-related losses. This bold move comes amid concerns about rising rates of shop theft across the UK, particularly within supermarkets adopting self-service solutions.
The latest update introduces a system resembling the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology seen in football. Cameras installed above each self-service checkout record customers’ actions at the tills. If the system detects an item being placed in a bag without registering a scan, it immediately plays back the incident to the shopper on the till’s screen. A message accompanies the footage, stating: “Looks like that last item didn’t scan. Please check you scanned it correctly before continuing.” Sainsbury’s hopes this approach serves as both a deterrent and an educational prompt, nudging shoppers to review their scanning before leaving the store.
Feedback from customers since the launch has been mixed. One shopper recounted receiving the warning after a light packet of basil was apparently missed by the scales. Another took a more humorous approach, comparing the experience to being analysed by a football pundit. “Thanks to Sainsbury’s, I can now re-live and learn from my packing mistakes,” they joked, evoking the image of Sky Sports commentators critiquing their every move.
A retail industry insider shared some context behind the change, explaining, “It’s primarily about stopping shoplifters, but most people flagged by the system have made an honest mistake at the till. Previously, this would trigger red lights and a staff member intervening—this new method is a gentler way to handle the situation.”
The rise of self-checkout technology in the UK has been dramatic, with the systems now commonplace in nearly every major supermarket. While these tills bring convenience and shorter queues for shoppers, there are widespread concerns about a concurrent increase in shoplifting cases. The latest government figures highlight the scale of the issue: in 2024, over 516,000 incidents of shoplifting were recorded across the UK—a 20% increase on the previous year. Yet only about 14% of cases resulted in charges.
According to the British Retail Consortium, retail theft is estimated to cost businesses in the region of £2 billion per year. Among the most common methods used by thieves is “skip scanning”, where an item is taken without scanning, or scanning a lower cost item to avoid paying the full price. Industry research revealed that some form of theft occurs in around 6.7% of all self-checkout transactions, with one in five shoppers admitting to accidental theft, and one in seven to intentional theft.
In response to these trends, supermarkets have adopted an array of security measures alongside the rollout of the new video replay technology. Sainsbury’s, like many rivals, has introduced locked plastic boxes for more expensive products, and some shelves are now fitted with covers designed to hinder quick theft. Security personnel remain a consistent presence near store entrances and exits; Sainsbury’s employs guards, including some working undercover, from private security firms such as Mitie Group.
Sensors provide an added layer of scrutiny by tracking higher-value items—such as steaks—alerting staff with loud beeps whenever such goods are removed from shelves. Meanwhile, constant CCTV surveillance and clear signage warning of prosecution serve to dissuade casual theft.
The overall impact of these measures is yet to be fully seen, but their necessity is evident. As technology evolves, retailers are walking a fine line between convenience, customer experience, and the need to combat ever-evolving methods of theft. Sainsbury’s latest initiative reflects the sector’s ongoing struggle to balance these demands in a challenging retail climate.
It remains to be seen whether the new camera system will significantly deter theft or merely lead to further innovation among determined shoplifters. However, the VAR-style review certainly marks a novel attempt to prompt honesty at the self-checkout, while offering Sainsbury’s a more discreet way to address a growing challenge.