LIDL GB BECOMES FIRST SUPERMARKET TO ROLL OUT BODY-WORN CAMERAS ACROSS ALL STORES

• Lidl is rolling out body-worn cameras across all stores, in a supermarket first^*
• After investing over £2m in ensuring every store in its network has the new security measures, the rollout is set to be completed by Spring 2024
• News comes after Lidl became a founding member of Project Pegasus, a business and policing partnership aimed at targeting serious and organised retail crime

8^th November 2023 – Lidl GB has become the first supermarket* to rollout body-worn cameras across all its stores as standard, reinforcing its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of both customers and colleagues.

From the end of the month, stores across its network will start to receive the security measures following an investment of over £2 million, with the rollout set to be complete by Spring 2024.  

The discounter’s push to ensure all its stores are equipped with cameras sets it apart from other retailers, who are either still in trial phase, have the tech in a select number of stores or only offer them as an option to colleagues. 

All Lidl colleagues will receive training to ensure the cameras are used safely and in a way that protects an individual’s privacy.

Ryan McDonnell, Chief Executive Officer, at Lidl GB, said: “As a business with over 960 stores across the length and breadth of the country, safety and security has always been an absolute priority for us. While our stores are typically safe environments, retail crime is something that is impacting the whole industry. Our investment into ensuring all our stores have body-worn cameras is just one of the ways we’re taking action to protect and provide reassurance to our colleagues and customers.”

Last month, Lidl became a founding member of Project Pegasus, a business and policing partnership that aims to combine law enforcement powers with industry knowledge to target serious and organised retail crime, committing £60k of funding over two years.

Ryan added: “It is essential that the industry comes together to find new and innovative ways to combat serious and organised retail crime across the UK. Amongst our own initiatives, we’re proud to be part of Project Pegasus, which presents a real opportunity for retailers, police forces, and the Home Office to work together to address the alarming rise of incidents facing retail workers every day.”

 ENDS 

Notes to Editors

^*While other supermarkets have body-worn cameras, Lidl is the only one to ensure they are in all stores as standard. Other supermarkets are either still trialling the tech, have the cameras in a small number of stores or only refer to offering them to colleagues as an option.

About Lidl GB

Since establishing itself in Great Britain in 1994, Lidl GB has experienced continuous growth and today has over 31,000 employees, over 960 stores and 14 distribution centres in England, Scotland and Wales.

As part of the Schwarz retail group, Lidl is one of Europe’s leading organisations in the food retail industry. The supermarket, which has more than 376,000 employees globally, currently operates approximately 12,200 stores and more than 220 logistics centres and warehouses in 31 countries.

The supermarket takes pride in providing its customers with the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices throughout Great Britain, from Kirkwall to the Isle of Wight.

Social responsibility and sustainability are at the core of the company's daily operations, with the company placing a strong emphasis on its responsibility for people, society, and the environment. Lidl GB is passionate about working with British producers and sources two thirds of its products from British suppliers.

The Schwarz Group, which operates worldwide as a retail group, generated a total revenue of €154.1 billion in the financial year 2022.

For more information about Lidl GB visit https://corporate.lidl.co.uk/