AI at the checkout: When computer vision becomes the new security

In the ever-evolving landscape of retail, technology continues to play a pivotal role in shaping operational efficiency and customer experience. One of the most pressing challenges for retailers is shrinkage—losses due to theft, fraud, and operational errors.

Sainsbury’s, a leading retail chain in the UK, has taken a bold step forward in addressing this issue by deploying advanced video analytics at self-checkout stations, as highlighted in its recent half-yearly earnings report.

The shrinkage challenge in retail

Shrinkage remains a significant concern for retailers worldwide. According to industry estimates, UK retailers lose billions annually to theft and errors, with self-checkout lanes often cited as a vulnerable point. As self-service technology becomes more prevalent, so do opportunities for loss—whether intentional or accidental. Retailers are under increasing pressure to find innovative solutions that balance security with a seamless customer experience.

Sainsbury’s strategic move: Video analytics at self-checkout

Recognizing the need for smarter loss prevention, Sainsbury’s has implemented AI-powered video analytics across 200 of its stores, focusing on self-checkout areas where shrinkage risk is highest. This technology uses sophisticated algorithms to monitor transactions, detect anomalies, provide customers with an opportunity to correct the issue themselves and alert the staff in real time. The result is a proactive approach to loss prevention that not only reduces shrink costs but also enhances overall store security.

What sets Sainsbury’s initiative apart is its scale and ambition. The retailer has announced plans to double the rollout by the end of the financial year, signalling a strong commitment to leveraging technology for operational excellence. By integrating video analytics into daily operations, Sainsbury’s is setting a new standard for the industry and demonstrating the tangible benefits of visual AI in retail.

Are you planning to deploy visual AI across your stores?

AI-powered video analytics is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s a proven solution delivering real results today. For loss prevention officers managing a network of stores, now is the time to explore how this technology can transform your approach to shrinkage.

SAI Group is a leading provider of AI-powered video analytics technology for the retail industry. SAI Group’s solutions are trusted by three of the top five retail chains in the UK, making it a key player in the sector’s digital transformation.

SAI Group’s platform stands out for its:

• Seamless Self-Checkout (SCO) integration: Compatible with a range of self-checkout systems for straightforward multi-vendor integration.
• Accuracy: Advanced AI models trained on millions of retail transactions, ensuring high detection rates.
• Subtle but powerful: Delivers real-time prompts to the SCO monitor, enabling customers to correct errors on their own, without the involvement of the store staff.
• Instant non-payment detection: Instantly identify when customers avoid payments at the SCO.
• Empowered store staff: Keeps the store staff informed by sending notifications on the store’s hand-held terminals.
• Violence detection: Utilizes AI to detect incidents of violence within the store and sends alerts directly to the security operations centre so that resources can be mobilized appropriately.
• Legally admissible evidence: Automatically extracts and stores the video footage of incidents detected, thus enabling the store staff to report theft more easily and efficiently.
• Scalability: Easily deployable across hundreds of stores, with rapid integration and minimal disruption.

SAI Group offers comprehensive support for retailers looking to implement video analytics to detect and prevent theft in the aisles as well as the self-checkout counters. From initial assessment to full-scale deployment, our team of experts can guide you through every step, ensuring a smooth transition and maximum impact.

If your store network has self-checkout and is facing shrink, contact us to discover how you can easily integrate our visual AI solution and see quick results and RoI.

About SAI

As a leader in computer vision technology, SAI Group delivers cutting-edge, multi-modal AI solutions into retail environments. Using a unique platform approach, its technology uses existing camera systems to target losses, increase store safety, and underpin operational efficiencies.

All solutions are built from the ground up to ensure the highest levels of security and data protection, respecting the privacy expectations of the public and operating to stringent ethical standards while delivering substantial value to our clients. Globally, SAI monitors millions of transactions per day, protecting the revenues from tens of millions of product sales and hundreds of millions of customer interactions. Its models also accurately identify anti-social behaviour, aggression and violence, helping to de-escalate situations with real-time interfaces to security officers and operations centres.