Woolworths reveals truth behind 'spy camera' in-store
- Replies 18
In an era where privacy concerns are at an all-time high, the sight of a flashing red light in the fruit section of Woolworths has sparked a wave of speculation and concern among Australian shoppers.
Theories of new 'spy cameras' have been circulating, causing a stir and even leading some to call for a boycott of the supermarket giant.
But is there any truth to these claims, or is it all just a misunderstanding?
The controversy began with a video posted on social media, showing a red light flashing on top of a nectarine's digital price tag.
The video was captioned with a comment about the light being a new addition to Woolworths' suite of security cameras.
The post quickly gained traction, with some viewers taking it seriously and expressing their outrage.
'I don't shop there anymore. I'd rather help the farmer out who is not spying and ripping us off,' one person commented.
'Really, what next? Soon all the staff will lose their jobs too,' another added, voicing their frustration.
However, others were quick to point out that the red light was not a camera, with one saying, 'It's nothing but a digital tag that connects to a system to update prices in real-time.'
This was later confirmed by Woolworths, who explained that the flashing lights are not cameras but 'lights' designed to 'help personal shoppers quickly identify the next item on their list'.
'Our personal shoppers use a handheld device with a shopping list based on customers’ online orders,' a Woolworths spokesperson explained.
'It is synced with the lights on our digital tickets so that it’s easier to find each item.'
Launched in 2022, the spokesperson said the initiative has helped the team save time and increase the accuracy of their selections.
The confusion and concern over the red lights at Woolworths highlight the growing tension between consumers and retailers over the use of surveillance technology.
In recent years, supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths have ramped up their security measures to combat theft, leading to mixed reactions from shoppers.
Last Wednesday, a customer using a wheelchair reported that Coles security gates 'slammed shut' on him while he exited the gates with his paid items, raising safety concerns about the new security technology.
In September, Coles confirmed that staff at a select number of Aussie stores would be fitted with new body cams as part of a trial phase in 30 stores across four states.
In early 2023, Woolworths began to trial new camera technology, adding more than 500 cameras in one NSW store to monitor stock levels.
While these measures are designed to protect businesses from theft, they have also sparked debates about privacy and the feeling of being treated as potential criminals.
What are your thoughts on the use of this technology in supermarkets? Do you feel such surveillance is necessary to prevent theft, or is it only making shoppers uncomfortable? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Theories of new 'spy cameras' have been circulating, causing a stir and even leading some to call for a boycott of the supermarket giant.
But is there any truth to these claims, or is it all just a misunderstanding?
The controversy began with a video posted on social media, showing a red light flashing on top of a nectarine's digital price tag.
The video was captioned with a comment about the light being a new addition to Woolworths' suite of security cameras.
A flashing red light found at a Woolworths store has sparked a discussion online. Image source: TikTok (left), Shutterstock (right).
The post quickly gained traction, with some viewers taking it seriously and expressing their outrage.
'I don't shop there anymore. I'd rather help the farmer out who is not spying and ripping us off,' one person commented.
'Really, what next? Soon all the staff will lose their jobs too,' another added, voicing their frustration.
However, others were quick to point out that the red light was not a camera, with one saying, 'It's nothing but a digital tag that connects to a system to update prices in real-time.'
This was later confirmed by Woolworths, who explained that the flashing lights are not cameras but 'lights' designed to 'help personal shoppers quickly identify the next item on their list'.
'Our personal shoppers use a handheld device with a shopping list based on customers’ online orders,' a Woolworths spokesperson explained.
'It is synced with the lights on our digital tickets so that it’s easier to find each item.'
Launched in 2022, the spokesperson said the initiative has helped the team save time and increase the accuracy of their selections.
You can watch the full video below:
Video source: TikTok/@throty101.
Video source: TikTok/@throty101.
The confusion and concern over the red lights at Woolworths highlight the growing tension between consumers and retailers over the use of surveillance technology.
In recent years, supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths have ramped up their security measures to combat theft, leading to mixed reactions from shoppers.
Last Wednesday, a customer using a wheelchair reported that Coles security gates 'slammed shut' on him while he exited the gates with his paid items, raising safety concerns about the new security technology.
In September, Coles confirmed that staff at a select number of Aussie stores would be fitted with new body cams as part of a trial phase in 30 stores across four states.
In early 2023, Woolworths began to trial new camera technology, adding more than 500 cameras in one NSW store to monitor stock levels.
While these measures are designed to protect businesses from theft, they have also sparked debates about privacy and the feeling of being treated as potential criminals.
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