Lidl has become the first supermarket in the UK to roll-out body-worn cameras across all its stores in a move aimed at ensuring the safety and security of customers and colleagues.
Investing an initial £2m, the German-owned supermarket will introduce the new security measures, with the roll-out set to be completed by spring 2024.
The supermarket claims the move makes it the first grocer to implement such cameras, with rivals either still in a trial phase, or only offering the tech as optional.
Lidl GB chief executive officer Ryan McDonnell said: “As a business with over 960 stores across the length and breadth of the country, safety and security has always been an absolute priority for us.”
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“While our stores are typically safe environments, retail crime is something that is impacting the whole industry.
“Our investment into ensuring all our stores have body-worn cameras is just one of the ways we’re taking action to protect and provide reassurance to our colleagues and customers.”
The new initiative comes amid a surge of shoplifting and violence towards store employees, leading to the National Police Chiefs’ Council outlining a new Retail Crime Action Plan to tackle the rising ‘epidemic’.
Last month, Lidl – which earlier this week was named the UK’s fastest growing retailer for the second consecutive month – became a founding member of Project Pegasus, pledging £60,000 of funding to help address the issue of retail crime.
