Coles and Woolworths have reportedly tested facial recognition technology in-store in a bid to curb retail crime.
The Australian Financial Review reports that the two retailers had “conducted early testing” of the technology, which “did not use customer or team member information or data”.
In a statement to the ABC, a Coles spokesperson said “no decision has been made about the deployment of facial recognition technology”, adding that the supermarket giant does not currently use the technology in stores.
It has also been reported that Woolworths tested the technology in its New Zealand office. When questioned by the ABC, the company highlighted a “concerning amount of aggression and conflict incidents in (their) stores”.
Recent data from the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA)—published at the end of 2025—found that 88 per cent of retail workers had experienced verbal abuse, while 25 per cent had experienced physical violence. Furthermore, 34 per cent of members reported that they did not feel safe in their workplace.
Using facial recognition and artificial intelligence in retail outlets may become more common after Bunnings Warehouse won a legal battle to monitor customers with AI in an effort to deter retail crime.
The Administrative Review Tribunal determined that facial recognition technology could be used in limited circumstances to address retail crime and protect staff and customers from violence and abuse.
