Coles high-tech security measure could lead to 'distrust'

Australia's two biggest supermarkets are going to increasingly drastic lengths to fight back against stealing and violent behaviour in their stores - but experts are saying it could lead to a sense of 'distrust' and 'trauma' in customers. Coles announced this week that it would introduce a range of hi-tech security measures in stores across the nation, including overhead cameras to track customers' every move, enhanced AI cameras at checkouts and 'smart-gates' that lock automatically if people try to do a runner with goods they haven't paid for. The store also revealed the use of body-worn cameras - similar to those used by police or bouncers - would be used in some of its most high-risk stores to protect staff against an alarming increase in violence Coles' body-worn cameras will be trialed across the supermarket giant's stores Australia's two biggest supermarkets are going to increasingly drastic lengths to fight back against stealing and violent behaviour in their stores - but experts are saying it could lead to a sense of 'distrust' and 'trauma' in customers Woolworths has also been ramping up security, with its rollout of enhanced cameras monitoring customers at self-checkouts receiving mixed reviews. 'New technology such as body cameras is being tested by some stores here and overseas and is being done so within privacy laws and with careful attention to staff and customer feedback,' Australian Retailers Association chief executive Paul Zahra said. Retailers say the moves are necessary to combat a $9billion-a-year problem Retail staff will wear the new cameras to fight theft and violence in Coles stores 'It's in retailers' interests to keep their customers comfortable and at ease in stores and this kind of technology is first and foremost to keep frontline retail staff and customers safe.'