Automated checkouts lead to an increase in theft

 

 

The British magazine The Conversation published the study by Ms Emeline Taylor, a professor of criminology at City University in London. The multiplication of the automatic boxes has been accompanied by an upsurge in the number of thefts. Supermarkets equipped with automated boxes are much more likely to be robbed (86%) than those without (52%).

 

 

 

"In the United Kingdom, 1 in 5 customers admit to stealing regularly at the cash register, which represents around GBP 15 per month, or GBP 1.6 billion (EUR 1.8 billion). Stolen at first time by mistake, and getting caught up in the game, realizing how easy it was. "

 

 

 

Among the stratagems most used in the Fruits & Vegetables section: the choice of cheaper products per kilo. Weigh 1 kilo of avocados but press the "carrots" button to print the barcode label. So much so that a store has seen the sale of a higher volume of carrots than its existing stock.

 

 

 

It is estimated that the number of automated boxes will reach 325,000 by 2019 (190,000 in 2013). But the ratio "labor savings / multiplication of theft" is now holding back some supermarkets, several American brands (Albertsons, Big Y Supermarket, Pavilions, Vons) have removed.