Coles has introduced body cameras at some of its high-risk stores to combat shoplifting, threats, and theft.

The Australian retailer stated that the move was made in response to a dramatic increase in thefts by customers, which experts estimate cost the retail industry $9bn per year.

The company has also seen an alarming rise in violence towards its employees.

The cameras were successfully tested in 30 stores with problems in Victoria, Western Australia, and Queensland.

It’s important to remember that most customers behave well in stores. “Measures like these are for those who don’t,” said a Coles spokesperson to news.com.au.

The safety of both our team members as well as our customers is of paramount importance to us. We have implemented a number of security measures, such as security personnel and surveillance technologies, like CCTV, in order to reduce the theft of goods from our stores.

The staff in these stores will be wearing mini-body cameras that can capture and send live footage to management if needed.

Body-worn cameras have become commonplace in many other occupations. They are standard issues to Australian police forces, security guards, and nightclub bouncers.

Woolworths implemented a bold security measure to protect its employees back in 2021, which was widely praised.

Coles says that extending the use of technology to retail workers will keep them safe and deter theft.

“Body-worn camera only records once it is activated.” The spokesperson said that if a team member is in an unsafe situation, they will turn on their body cameras and inform the customer of the reason for doing so.

The team members have been very positive about this trial. They feel the technology will be helpful if they are faced with an emergency.

Sophie Wong, Coles Transformation general manager and 7 News reporter said that the management would be able to see what was happening in their shops and with its employees.

Social media users were quick to notice a potential awkward flaw with the body-cam plan.

One Facebook user said: “I don’t mind being filmed while shopping as I do not steal. But I wouldn’t want to be an employee wearing it and forgetting to turn it off or mute it when I went to the bathroom.”

In response to privacy concerns, Ms Wong stated that footage from the cameras will not be retained “for more than a few week” and that the cameras comply with Australian law.

Many consumers have expressed concern about the increasing number of cameras installed in supermarkets, even though they welcome measures that protect staff.

Customers have criticized the controversial overhead AI checkout camera installed at self-serve checkouts in Coles and Woolworths. They claim that the surveillance is “completely unacceptable.”

“I believe Coles should consider other approaches which do not default to the use of surveillance,” said Dr. Monique Man, Senior Lecturer and Vice-Chairperson of the Australian Privacy Foundation.

Why is there an increase in shoplifting? Why do people act aggressively towards the staff? People are in a tough situation. While people are struggling, Woolworths and Coles are making massive profits (over a billion dollars) despite a cost-of-living crisis. They should consider that and work to reduce the cost of living rather than expanding surveillance and profits.

A supermarket spokesperson told News.com.au that “all retailers are experiencing an increased in retail crime”.

We use a variety of covert and open initiatives to reduce retail crime.

We’ve been using cameras at the checkout since early 2022 to reduce misscans.

The accuracy of the system is expected to improve as we continue to adapt it to our retail network.

Woolies defended its move on Monday by explaining that the cameras are designed to reduce missed scans and make shopping “more convenient” and seamless.

Coles reported that it had made a profit in the last financial year of $1.1bn, but stock losses increased by 20 percent, mainly because of theft.

In its latest annual report, the company stated that “Stock Loss is a Priority and we are taking immediate action to address this.”