Co-op has collaborated with Diebold Nixdorf and Yoti to extend its trial of innovative age estimation technology in five of its stores.
The trial uses Diebold Nixdorf solution to use Yoti’s age estimation technology – which doesn’t rely on facial recognition or retain store images.
Additionally, the trial will run exclusively in Manchester including a store located within its Customer Support Centre where it first tested the technology last November.
READ MORE: Co-op festival pop-up returns to Worthy Farm for Glastonbury 2022
The independent retailer believes the technology could reduce abuse and anti-social behaviour towards retail workers as asking for ID may trigger shopper frustration, and potential abuse.
On top of this, the Co-op hopes the technology would make shopping quicker, easier and more convenient for shoppers – especially at busier times.
“Shoppers can choose whether or not to use the technology – which is not facial recognition, and does not store or retain images,” Co-op’s operations innovation and continuous improvement lead explained.
“The pilot forms part of trials aimed at further improving or enhancing compliance with the licensing objective to reduce the risk of under-age sales.”
Yoti chief commercial officer John Abbot added: “We are excited to collaborate with Co-op and Diebold Nixdorf to help people prove their age direct to the self-checkout terminal in seconds, without store worker intervention.”
“It is a privacy-preserving, GDPR-compliant solution that can be easily integrated to meet local regulatory requirements.”
Click here to sign up to Grocery Gazette’s free daily email newsletter
