[Brad Lockyer]

In some news that may raise eyebrows, Woolworths is trialling a new in-store camera system to help monitor stock levels.

There will be more than 500 tiny cameras placed around the Wetherill Park, NSW store to help improve product availability.

Woolies says customers inadvertently captured by the camera system will be automatically ‘silhouetted’ from the image.

“We’ve recently begun a trial of new camera technology at the store to assist our teams by reducing manual processes and with replenishment tasks, such as real-time inventory management and restocking prioritisation,” a Woolworths’ spokesperson told news.com.au.

The move comes after the supermarket giant introduced cameras to its self-service checkouts in more than 250 outlets across Australia.

Are you comfortable with that many cameras at the supermarket?

[John Gower]

I’m not uncomfortable. This will probably go a long way to preventing theft. Bear in mind the costs of theft are borne by every paying customer. Insurance costs might be reduced using intelligent systems. If it reduces logistics costs then the savings can also be passed to customers. Overall, if it helps reduce prices I’m for it.

[John Gower]

A friend just saw my comment and complained about personal privacy. OK
Consider the number of times your picture has been taken by cameras in every location you have gone into in the past year. What would that total? 50,000, 100,000, 500,000 times you have been recorded without your knowledge.
Everywhere you go today there are cameras. Once you leave your home there is no expectation of privacy, in my opinion.

[Couldabeen]

John, as I understand the article, the technology recognises the human but then dismisses that image as not relevant and records nothing of the who or what they are. The software is only interested in how many products there are on the shelf and whether a restock is appropriate.
Will it reconcile against what is going through the check-outs? Comparing which products go through the self serve versus the cashier operated check-out?
At the end of the day, I’m sure that Woolworths will be evaluating in real time as to whether the number of stock that has been replenished reconciles with how many went through the check-out.
Your friend need have no concerns about invasion of privacy. In at least one reasonable sized business in a large inland city in Queensland, the policy is that if the person walking out the door without paying for an item worth less than $500, do not challenge them beyond a single call out. It’s not worth the tension and potential aggravation if the person responds aggressively.
Over 40 years ago a supermarket in that city installed a CCTV monitoring system in their stock control room. An areas only accessed by staff. In the first year after installation and monitoring, stock “shrinkage” decreased by around $50,000 worth.
With Woolworths, I can see this as a step to reducing actual staff levels within the store as fewer are needed to walk the aisles to ensure product is present and presented well.

[Jacka]

I read an article on this subject the other day, apparently the cameras are being put in so they’ll know when their stock is low and can replace it more quickly for their customers. If you believe that you believe in Santa Claus. Simply for security, obviously. I don’t have a problem with that myself, as long as they get my good side. And as for them reducing prices to aid the general public if these cameras save them money in anyway, another Santa Claus story. The cost and installation of these cameras would run pretty high I would imagine. Tough times have obviously caused more theft or attempted theft, why doesn’t Woolworths just come out and tell the truth, why the cameras are really there. Most customers would understand. Jacka.

[Karl Marx]

Agree Jacka. They know the inventory levels in most cases from the checkout. 15 in stock, checkout records 3 bought so stock reduced to 3. Look on any website like Big W, Kmart, Good Guys and you can check if a product is in stock and is not when the next shipment is due. Supermarkets tweak this for their stores etc. Even the cost of maintaining and monitoring this technology still needs human input when stock levels need adjustment. I can’t see any savings for the consumer being passed on. With these companies it’s all about the bottom line. Profit.
As far as surveillance goes, it’s everywhere, we just have to live with it.

[Author]

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