News

Theft at self-checkout a growing problem, retail analyst warns

June 20, 2012

According to ABC Sydney, an Australian retail expert says thefts from self-service checkouts in major supermarkets and stores is a growing problem, and one that could lead to changes in the way goods are sold in stores.

Deakin University's Steve Ogden-Barnes said research in other countries indicates that theft may be as much as five times more likely at unattended checkouts than when a cashier is involved.

Ogden-Barnes said businesses needed to be wary of removing staff from automated checkout points.

"Any smart retailer should really have people at or around the checkout keeping an eye on things," he said. The danger is when you introduce self-checkout and technology and then basically just leave that whole area alone. That's asking for trouble.

He added supermarkets were already employing safeguards to catch thieves such as video cameras at exit points.

"Next time you're in the queue look around and look up. You may see a security camera in the ceiling above the self-checkouts," he said. "There are other technologies around the corner. One is a tunnel scanner which is going to be more like putting your luggage through a baggage scanner at an airport just to ensure everything is scanned."

Read more about self-checkout technology.