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By a company that’s seen it all (installed it all) and is still surprised at what shoppers try to get away with.
The Problem with Skip-Scanning
Picture this: a customer glides through a self-checkout like a checkout ninja. Beep, bag, beep, bag, beep… bag? No beep. No scan. Just a slip of the wrist, and poof! One item skipped. Whether it’s a rogue energy drink or a pack of premium steaks, “skip-scanning” is one of the top culprits of retail shrinkage.
And for retailers? It’s the difference between razor-thin margins and absolutely none at all. But as we all know, where there’s a challenge, there’s usually some clever tech ready to save the day. Enter: non-scan detection technology.
What Is Non-Scan Detection Technology?
It’s exactly what it says on the tin. Non-scan detection technology monitors self-checkout stations using overhead cameras, AI-powered image recognition, and real-time playback features to spot when a product bypasses the scanner.
Once it sees something fishy (like a bottle of shampoo being bagged without a scan), it immediately plays back the moment to the customer right there on the screen, kind of like VAR, but for groceries.
The idea?
Polite but pointed: “You missed this. Please scan it now.”
No security alarm. No confrontation. Just a firm nudge from the tech, saying, “Nice try.”
Real-World Trials: Who’s Already Using This?
Lidl’s London Trial
In several Lidl stores across London, this technology is currently being trialled, with overhead cameras scanning for unusual shopper behaviour at the self-checkout. When the system detects a non-scan, it doesn’t just alert staff; it shows the shopper a replay of the moment they missed the scanner.
It’s not Big Brother, more like Big Bargain Enforcer.
Lidl joins a growing list of UK retailers turning to tech for security, following in the checkout-line footsteps of:
Home Bargains
This one went viral. A Home Bargains customer unknowingly featured in a TikTok video after the system spotted they hadn’t scanned an item properly. The system flagged it, and up popped the evidence right in front of them.
Social media may have had a field day, but the point hit home: skip-scanning no longer flies under the radar.
Sainsbury’s & Tesco
Sainsbury’s has quietly been rolling out AI recognition software to some of its self-checkout tills, detecting whether an item has been placed on the bagging area without being scanned. Combined with weight sensors and video analytics, it’s a more invisible, but no less effective, way of keeping shoplifting at bay.
Tesco, meanwhile, has begun integrating similar tech, recognising that reducing loss at the tills doesn’t mean adding friction—it means adding smartness.
How This Helps Both Loss Prevention and Customer Experience
This isn’t just about catching thieves. It’s about creating a more intelligent and efficient retail environment.
Here’s why non-scan detection tech is a win-win:
- Reduces loss without increasing friction
Customers who make genuine mistakes (and they do!) are given a gentle heads-up. No awkward calls for a staff member. No holdups. Just a swift correction.
- Less need for staff intervention
For stores already working with leaner teams, this technology becomes a silent (but very watchful) colleague.
- Data, glorious data
These systems don’t just detect, they log patterns, track volumes, and provide rich analytics that can help with training, operations, and future tech decisions.
Thinking About Non-Scan Detection for Your Stores?
If you’re a senior IT leader sitting there thinking, “Okay, but how do we install this sort of tech smoothly, across multiple sites, and with minimal disruption?” Well, now we’re talking our language.
With nearly two decades of experience in rolling out intelligent systems in the UK’s top Retail and Hospitality environments, we’ve seen it, installed it, and supported it all.
We don’t just do installs; we handle project management, post-install support, and full lifecycle service to keep your tech working long after opening day.
Looking to trial a non-scan detection system in a flagship location? Or scale it across the estate without headaches? We can help you design, deliver, and support the entire journey under one roof.
Final Thought: Technology Is the Assistant Manager You Never Knew You Needed
Self-checkouts were meant to make life easier. With non-scan detection tech, they’re also making stores smarter, safer, and more secure, without turning shopping into a security briefing.
It’s the kind of upgrade that doesn’t get in the way of customers, but quietly protects your margins. And let’s be honest, anything that lets tech do the tough conversations is a win for everyone.
Want to know more about how we’re helping retail brands roll out loss-prevention tech smarter and faster?
Reach out and let’s talk about your next install project.
