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The introduction of self-checkouts in 2009 was set to see improvements in customer shopping experiences and a reduction in the cost of labour needed to man tills. Although retailers and customers alike have enjoyed many benefits since the introduction of this new technology, it has resulted in an increase in shoplifting and, in the UK alone, is costing supermarkets a whopping £3.2 billion annually.

You might well have seen public view monitors (PVMs) in your local supermarket self-checkouts, but have you thought about them in the retail environment? Similarly to grocery stores, retail faces the ever growing problem of theft, shrinkage, loss of profits and other crimes. Just last year, theft of goods by customers rose to £65 million and workplace abuse incidents peaked at almost 1 million.  The use of public view monitors is becoming increasingly popular and is proving to be an effective solution for crime prevention within a range of different industries.

Public View Monitors (PVMs) act as a visual deterrent that can reduce unwanted behaviours, whilst creating a trusted environment for customers and staff. If someone walks in front of a PVM, it triggers the in-built camera and shows the individual live footage of themselves. A warning message also tells the individual that their actions are being monitored, thereby helping to reduce issues such as theft. The monitors are already being used to great effect in the retail industry, with significant increases in profits being reported.