Coles and Woolworths are assessing whether facial recognition technology could play a role in tackling rising retail crime across their supermarket networks.
The two Australian grocery heavyweights have already poured tens of millions of dollars into store security upgrades, including exit gates, self-checkout surveillance cameras and body-worn cameras for frontline workers.
Now, both companies are directing further investment into research and testing around facial recognition systems as they look for additional ways to protect employees, shoppers and profits.
The push comes as retail crime becomes an escalating concern, especially in Victoria, where Auror data indicates about 100 violent retail crime incidents are recorded across the state each day.
In the 12 months to March 2026, Victoria recorded 4,823 assault and related offences at retail premises, while stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour in stores and shopping centres rose by 10.1 per cent.
The Daily Mail understands Woolworths has examined the technology at a corporate office in New Zealand as part of its broader security research.
For now, however, the supermarket chain is not planning to launch facial recognition trials in Australia.
Coles, meanwhile, has carried out testing of facial recognition technology, although it has not progressed to a formal trial.
Coles and Woolworths have tested the use of facial recognition technology in a bid to reduce retail crime in their stores
The technology is being considered to further protect staff and customers, particularly in Victoria
‘Coles has not done a trial using this technology,’ a Coles spokesman told the ABC.
‘A small, one-off, controlled proof-of-concept test of the technology was undertaken which did not use customer or team member information or data.
‘No decision has been made about the deployment of facial recognition technology.’
There has been no decision made on whether it will be implemented in Australia.
‘Keeping our team and customers safe is the most important thing we do and we’ve put significant investment towards this,’ a Woolworths spokesman said.
‘While our current safety initiatives are making a difference, we are still seeing a concerning amount of aggression and conflict incidents in our stores on a daily basis, including weapons being presented.’
Consideration of the technology follows rival retailer Bunnings having won its case to use a similar method at its stores in February, 2026.
This was despite Australia’s Privacy Commissioner, Carly Kind, ruling in 2024 that it had breached privacy laws.
The supermarket giants have already improved security by spending tens of millions of dollars on gates at exits, cameras monitoring the bagging area, and body-cameras for staff
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Although the Administrative Review Tribunal cleared Bunnings for their use of artificial intelligence to monitor customers, it required the Wesfarmers-owned retailer to update its privacy policy.
‘We welcome the decision from the Administrative Review Tribunal regarding Bunnings’ past trial of facial recognition technology,’ Bunnings managing director Mike Schneider said at the time.
‘Our intent in trialling this technology was to help protect people from violence, abuse, serious criminal conduct and organised retail crime.
‘The tribunal recognised the need for practical, common-sense steps to keep people safe.
‘It also identified areas where we didn’t get everything right, including around signage, customer information, processes and our privacy policy, and we accept that feedback.’
The Daily Mail has contacted Woolworths for further comment.
