HOW THE TECHNOLOGY WORKS
When discrepancies between stock and inventory are detected, staff review CCTV footage to confirm theft. Once a suspect is identified, their photograph is uploaded into the system. If the same person enters any Sheng Siong branch again, staff receive mobile alerts through a corporate app.
If the staff are certain that the customer has committed shop theft, they may approach the person and file a police report.
Speaking in Mandarin at Sheng Siong’s head office last Friday, CEO Lim Hock Chee said the system also serves to raise awareness.
“Our hope is that wherever customers walk, there are more ‘eyes’ to look at them so they can cultivate better behaviour over time. This makes the entire environment safer,” he added, likening the approach to speed cameras on expressways.
In the past, staff members had to manually review CCTV footage to identify suspects.
“That’s the benefit of this technology. We don’t have to keep monitoring. After using this technology, shop theft rates have increased. In the past, because we relied on the human eye, we may have missed out,” he said.
The technology was initially introduced – not exclusively to catch shoplifters – but to foster a more customer-centric environment, he added. For example, if any incidents that take place in stores involve staff members, footage from CCTV can be used as a learning opportunity.
