Australians are “sick of being made to feel like criminals” at the checkout, according to new research by Finder.
A Finder survey of 1039 respondents revealed almost one in four (22%) – equivalent to 4.5 million Australians – believe cameras should be removed from self-serve checkouts.
The research, however, found that 59% of respondents don’t think the anti-theft mechanisms should be removed, while 18% are unsure.
Finder Head of Consumer Research Graham Cooke says grocery giants are increasingly relying on high-tech security amid rising theft, but not all shoppers are happy about it.
“While these cameras track customer movement, their limitations can lead to misinterpretations, causing unnecessary staff intervention,” he says.
“The need to verify potential theft can significantly slow down the self-service checkout process for some customers.”
Mr Cooke says rising grocery prices are testing people’s patience.
“Many households are already operating on tight budgets, and nearly half of them are under stress while shopping,” he says.
“Overly aggressive security measures can push honest shoppers to shop elsewhere.”