Edeka and Rewe are upgrading: New exit gates against self-service checkout theft!

Edeka and Rewe are upgrading: New exit gates against self-service checkout theft!

More and more supermarkets in Germany are using self-service checkouts (self-service checkouts), which enable quick and easy shopping. But the price for this is high: According to Frank Horst from the EHI retail research institute, losses due to theft at these checkouts are said to be up to 30 percent higher than at conventional checkouts. This has prompted various retailers to introduce safety measures to minimize losses. It's a classic case of "What now?", as customers often only notice the changes when they are directly affected.

An impressive example of surveillance at self-service checkouts is a TikTok video that shows a store detective active in an Edeka branch in Regensburg. According to retail research institute EHI, the number of self-service checkouts has doubled in recent years, while sales through these checkouts are almost twice as high as a decade ago. However, losses are increasing at the same time, which raises the question: How can supermarkets make their checkout security more efficient?

Innovative security solutions for self-service checkouts

Supermarkets such as Rewe, Aldi, Netto, Lidl, Kaufland and Edeka are increasingly implementing exit gates that work in different versions. The first option opens automatically, the second requires a paid receipt, while the third only grants access to customers who have previously carried out a payment transaction at the self-service checkout. These systems not only pose technical challenges, but also offer a psychological barrier: scanning the receipt is intended to encourage customers to pay for their purchases properly. Nevertheless, many customers cast a critical eye on this technology and often express their irritation with the handling of the receipt scanners.

ITAB's Sesame system stands out with its innovative sensors that capture customers' body shape and size without relying on facial recognition. This technology is already used in around 200 retail companies, including supermarkets and hardware stores. The sensor technology can even detect whether a person bends over or removes a hat, meaning face masks do not pose a barrier to the sensors' insight. But how far are supermarkets actually willing to invest in this type of technology?

A look at the future

The challenge for retailers lies not only in selecting effective technologies, but also in how these systems will be accepted by customers. At a time when self-service checkouts are becoming increasingly popular, both operators and consumers are faced with new shopping hurdles and questions. It remains exciting to see how security measures will develop and whether these new systems can actually help reduce losses or whether they will only lead to further irritation in purchasing.