Sainsbury's installs 'VAR-style' cameras at self-checkouts to tackle shoplifting surge

Updated: 10 May, 2025 • 0 • min read

Table of Contents

Sainsbury's installs 'VAR-style' cameras at self-checkouts to tackle shoplifting surge

Supermarket giant Sainsbury's is introducing VAR-style cameras at self-checkout tills in a bid to curb a surge in shoplifting offences across the UK.

The innovative system - reminiscent of football's controversial Video Assistant Referee - displays instant video replays when an item is not properly scanned.

A calm on-screen message appears:

Looks like that last item didn't scan. Please check you scanned it correctly before continuing.

The goal? To gently deter potential theft without escalating tensions between customers and staff.

A Sainsbury's spokesperson said:

We regularly review the security measures in our stores. Our decisions are based on a range of factors, including offering our customers a smooth checkout experience.

Shoplifting at Record Levels

The decision comes as shoplifting in England and Wales hits a record high.

According to the Office for National Statistics, there were 516,971 recorded offences in 2024 - a 20 percent increase from 2023's 429,873.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) estimates that theft now costs UK retailers over £22 billion annually, with more than 20 million shoplifting incidents each year - many of which go unreported due to lack of faith in law enforcement response.

One retail insider told The Sun:

It's a deterrent to shoplifters. Most people have made genuine scanning mistakes, which the checkout scales detect. This system offers a more gentle reminder than flashing red lights and staff intervention.

Shoppers React with Humour

Social media reactions to the new tech have been predictably tongue-in-cheek, with one customer joking:

Thanks to Sainsbury's, I can now re-live and learn from my packing mistakes. I can almost hear Jamie Carragher lamenting my positioning.

The supermarket joins a growing number of retailers investing in AI-assisted surveillance and smart checkout technologies to combat the rising tide of retail crime while maintaining a customer-friendly experience.

For any enquiries, please contact us here.