Next is currently trialing advanced AI scanners that are capable of identifying stolen items concealed in undergarments, such as bras and underwear.
This innovative technology operates by detecting changes in body heat and can also identify concealed weapons, explosives, cash, and drugs. The “Thruvision Passive Terahertz Screening System” has undergone successful testing in Next UK warehouses and distribution centers and may soon be implemented in retail stores.
Steve Teatum, the Head of Group Loss Prevention at Next, discussed this new system on a recent episode of the Retail Crime Uncovered podcast. He highlighted how the technology has exposed individuals attempting to hide merchandise on their bodies, making it challenging for traditional security measures to detect.
Despite the ongoing efforts of thieves to exploit such vulnerabilities, the implementation of this cutting-edge technology has proven highly effective in thwarting such theft attempts.
In a separate development, shoplifting incidents in England and Wales have surged to a record high in over two decades. Official statistics revealed a 20% increase in offenses, reaching 530,643 incidents in the year ending March, marking the highest figure reported since 2003.
Moreover, Home Bargains has adopted AI cameras to combat theft at self-checkout stations by identifying unscanned items. The retailer is collaborating with tech companies SAI (Storewide Active Intelligence) and Everseen in a trial aimed at detecting “misscans” and “skip scans” at self-service checkouts.
Paul Rowland, the operations director at Home Bargains, emphasized the effectiveness of this technology over traditional security measures. The initiative aligns with the retailer’s strategy to combat rising retail crime, including the establishment of a confidential hotline for customers to report incidents of shoplifting and criminal activities at their stores.