Wegmans deploys facial recognition in 'elevated risk' stores
Wegmans Food Markets is leveraging cameras equipped with facial recognition technology in an effort to enhance security.
Wegmans said it is using cameras in a "small fraction of stores that exhibit an elevated risk" to help identify individuals whose presence may pose security issues. In a statement on its website, the East Coast regional grocer said the solution collects facial recognition data and only uses it to identify individuals who have been previously flagged for misconduct.
According to Wegmans, it does not collect any other biometric shopper data, such as retinal scans or voice prints, ands retains images and video for only “as long as necessary for security purposes” and then disposes of them. Citing security reasons, Wegmans said it will not disclose the exact retention period, but it aligns with industry standards.
In addition, Wegmans said it does not share facial recognition scan data with third parties. However, the retailer does determine which customers pose an elevated risk on information from law enforcement for criminal or missing persons cases, as well as on incidents that occur on its property, on a case-by-case basis. Internal Wegmans asset protection staffers make the final determination.
At stores in New York City where the technology is being used, Wegmans said it is complying with local requirements by posting mandated signage to notify customers about its presence.
"We understand concerns about fairness and bias in facial recognition systems," Wegmans said in the statement. "We employ a multitude of training and safety measures to help keep people safe. Facial recognition technology serves as one investigative lead for us. We never base our decisions on a single lead alone. Our goal is simple - to keep our stores safe and secure."
Facial recognition-based store security is still relatively new and not without controversy, but retailers are showing interest. In a July 2024 survey of U.S. and U.K. retail leaders commissioned by Avery Dennison and conducted by Opinion Matters, 37% of respondents planned to introduce facial recognition technology within 24 months.
In December 2023, a settlement reached with the FTC prohibited Rite Aid from using facial recognition technology for surveillance purposes for five years with restrictions on its use following the ban period.
[READ MORE: Rite Aid won’t use facial recognition for 5 years in FTC settlement]
The settlement was in response to an FTC complaint alleging that from 2012 to 2020, Rite Aid deployed facial recognition technology to identify customers who may have been engaged in shoplifting or other problematic behavior but failed to take reasonable measures to prevent harm to consumers.
Headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., Wegmans Food Markets Inc. is a regional supermarket chain with 114 stores located along the East Coast.
