Latest news with #FacialRecognitionTechnology
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Retail Confidence Rises Despite Economic Pressures
Retailers across New Zealand are showing renewed confidence in the face of ongoing economic challenges, according to the latest Retail Radar report from Retail NZ. The quarterly survey, covering April-June 2025, reveals that 69% of retailers are confident or very confident their business will survive the next 12 months — a notable increase from 57% in the same quarter last year. This aligns with the findings of the recent NZIER Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion for Q2 2025 that found retailers were more optimistic about the economic outlook than other sectors. Retailers were 13% more likely to expect better general economic conditions over the coming months than the general business population. The optimism recorded in Retail Radar comes despite 62% of retailers failing to meet their sales targets in the past quarter. However, expectations are improving, with 60% anticipating they will meet or exceed targets in the next three months — up from 49% in Q1 2025 (January-March) and 32% in the April-June period last year. 'Retailers are resilient,' says Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young. 'While the economic environment remains uncertain, the sector is showing signs of cautious optimism, supported by inflation at 2.7%, steady OCR at 3.25%, and a slight uptick in card transaction spend.' Recent StatsNZ data shows retail sales volumes rose 0.8% compared to the last quarter of 2024, though growth remains modest at 0.65% year-on-year, and still below 2023 levels. Retailers continue to grapple with a range of issues, including: cost of living pressures insurance lease and rent increases Freight costs 'In spite of the confidence expressed by Retail Radar respondents, we are continuing to see retailers across the country shutting their doors due to increased pressure on cost of living, lease and rates increases,' Ms Young says. Following a recent trial by Foodstuffs North Island and guidance from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, Retail NZ also asked members if they were likely to use Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) to combat retail crime. Only a small number of larger retailers are considering adopting FRT. The main barriers raised by respondents about use of FRT include: High implementation and maintenance costs (69%) Potential public backlash (36%) Need for more evidence of effectiveness (32%). 'FRT may be a useful tool for some, but it's not a one-size-fits-all solution,' says Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young. 'We know that FRT has proven to be effective in identifying recidivous offenders in-store. However, it requires a considerable commitment to implement, train and maintain FRT in-store.'
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Joint Statement On Use Of Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) In Retail Settings
Press Release – Joint Media Statement We are firmly of the opinion that FRT, when used fairly and accurately, can be a valuable intervention to help keep customers and employees safe. The undersigned major New Zealand retailers strongly support the use of fair and accurate technology to protect our workers and customers. We support the option for retailers to use Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) to reduce harm and proactively combat retail crime. Our teams face high rates of verbal and physical abuse from repeat offenders who pose a risk to our employees, customers and other visitors to our stores. They are often responsible for significant violence, stock loss or damage. We are firmly of the opinion that FRT, when used fairly and accurately, can be a valuable intervention to help keep customers and employees safe. It is a powerful and effective tool alongside other crime prevention resources such as security guards, fog cannons, staff training, body cameras, panic alarms, CCTV and other technology solutions. We acknowledge Foodstuffs North Island for their leadership in trialling this new technology, and also the oversight provided by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner in assessing FRT's suitability for use in New Zealand. The trial clearly showed that the technology made a measurable impact in reducing crime, and improving safety in stores. A survey of 1000 New Zealanders found 89% support the use of FRT if it reduces harm by 10%. Keeping our people safe at work and keeping our customers safe is of paramount importance. A significant proportion of retail crime is committed by repeat offenders. It is these recidivist offenders that we are able to target with FRT. FRT offers the opportunity for us to quickly identify individuals of interest as they enter the store. Staff and/or security personnel are then able to respond quickly and decide how to manage each situation. Intervention is not required for every situation but FRT helps our teams to prevent or de-escalate incidents and offences. We recognise that technology must be used in a fair and accurate way. Guardrails are needed to support customers' privacy, and to guard against potential bias and discrimination. We collectively make a commitment to work with Retail NZ to develop best practice to ensure FRT is used only to keep our people safe, and in line with our obligations under the Privacy Act. The use of FRT in the right settings with the right controls will provide positive benefits and outcomes for customers, retailers and workers, while not impeding on the privacy of New Zealanders. The vast majority of customers will be able to go about their business as usual and will in fact be safer in those stores where FRT is used.
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Joint Statement On Use Of Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) In Retail Settings
The undersigned major New Zealand retailers strongly support the use of fair and accurate technology to protect our workers and customers. We support the option for retailers to use Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) to reduce harm and proactively combat retail crime. Our teams face high rates of verbal and physical abuse from repeat offenders who pose a risk to our employees, customers and other visitors to our stores. They are often responsible for significant violence, stock loss or damage. We are firmly of the opinion that FRT, when used fairly and accurately, can be a valuable intervention to help keep customers and employees safe. It is a powerful and effective tool alongside other crime prevention resources such as security guards, fog cannons, staff training, body cameras, panic alarms, CCTV and other technology solutions. We acknowledge Foodstuffs North Island for their leadership in trialling this new technology, and also the oversight provided by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner in assessing FRT's suitability for use in New Zealand. The trial clearly showed that the technology made a measurable impact in reducing crime, and improving safety in stores. A survey of 1000 New Zealanders found 89% support the use of FRT if it reduces harm by 10%. Keeping our people safe at work and keeping our customers safe is of paramount importance. A significant proportion of retail crime is committed by repeat offenders. It is these recidivist offenders that we are able to target with FRT. FRT offers the opportunity for us to quickly identify individuals of interest as they enter the store. Staff and/or security personnel are then able to respond quickly and decide how to manage each situation. Intervention is not required for every situation but FRT helps our teams to prevent or de-escalate incidents and offences. We recognise that technology must be used in a fair and accurate way. Guardrails are needed to support customers' privacy, and to guard against potential bias and discrimination. We collectively make a commitment to work with Retail NZ to develop best practice to ensure FRT is used only to keep our people safe, and in line with our obligations under the Privacy Act. The use of FRT in the right settings with the right controls will provide positive benefits and outcomes for customers, retailers and workers, while not impeding on the privacy of New Zealanders. The vast majority of customers will be able to go about their business as usual and will in fact be safer in those stores where FRT is used.
Scoop
03-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Report Confirms Facial Recognition Can Be Used Responsibly To Reduce Retail Crime
Retailers across New Zealand will welcome today's findings from the Privacy Commissioner, which confirm that Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) can be used in a way that complies with the Privacy Act, paving the way for responsible use to help tackle rising retail crime, Retail NZ says. Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster has released his review of the FRT trial conducted by Foodstuffs North Island. His report finds that the trial was compliant with the Privacy Act and the technology can be used with appropriate guardrails to protect individuals' privacy. Facial recognition technology is a powerful tool with the potential to help keep retail staff safe at work and to reduce crime, Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young says. 'We applaud the huge amount of time and effort that Foodstuffs North Island has put into this trial, to achieve strong outcomes that lead the way for the wider retail sector,' Ms Young says. 'We also acknowledge the work of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and their public inquiry that ran alongside the FRT trial.' The results of Foodstuffs North Island's FRT trial clearly showed that the technology had made a measurable impact in reducing harm and improving safety in stores. 'Retailers are crying out for proactive solutions that prevent crime and enhance the safety of their staff and customers. Our members continue to face high rates of violence and crime, putting both their employees and the public at risk, as well as threatening the financial sustainability of retail businesses. 'We know that retailers across Aotearoa New Zealand have been watching the trial with great interest and a number are investigating FRT for their own operations in the near future.' FRT is not going to be the solution for all businesses or all crime. Retailers may decide that it is not suitable for particular stores or locations, but it is a tool that retailers want to have available to consider alongside other crime prevention tools such as security guards, fog cannons, staff training, body cameras and other technology solutions, Ms Young says. Retail crime is a significant issue in New Zealand, impacting more than 99% of retailers and costing well over $2.6 billion a year. Retail NZ has formed a working group comprising a number of large retailers which is developing agreed approaches to crime prevention measures, including FRT. 'We will be taking time to review the details of the Privacy Commissioner's report to understand how we can best support Retail NZ members with guidelines on how to use FRT responsibly,' Ms Young says. Ms Young is a member of the Ministerial Advisory Group on retail crime which is also developing solutions to tackle retail crime.
