Asda launches facial recognition trial in five stores

Asda has announced that it has begun trialling Live Facial Recognition in five of its stores in Greater Manchester.

The supermarket is aiming to assess if this technology can be used to improve staff and customer safety in store.

The technology is integrated into Asda’s existing CCTV network and works by scanning images and comparing the results to a known list of individuals who have previously committed criminal activity on an Asda site.

If a match is found by the automated system, a member of the Asda head office security team will conduct a check and feedback to the store in real time.

The trial will take place at stores in Ashton, Chadderton, Harpurhey, Eastlands and Trafford Park for an initial period of two months. The results will be assessed before any decision is taken on whether to extend the trial or roll it out to further locations.

Asda stated that it recorded circa 1,400 assaults on colleagues last year, an average of four per day.

According to the BRC trade body, there are more than 2,000 incidents of violence and abuse against shopworkers every day – a threefold increase since 2020.

Liz Evans, chief commercial officer – non-food and retail, said: “The rise in shoplifting and threats and violence against shopworkers in recent years is unacceptable and as a responsible retailer we have to look at all options to reduce the number of offences committed in our stores and protect our colleagues.

“We consistently look for new ways to improve the security in our stores and this trial will help us understand if facial recognition technology can reduce the number of incidents and provide greater protection to everybody in our stores.”