NEWS
8 ASIAN TRADER 17 OCTOBER 2025
A large majority of shoppers are
supportive of body worn
cameras on retail staff, claims a
recent study, suggesting a
changing outlook on the
devices increasingly used to
deter shoplifters in convenience
stores.
A nationwide study by
body-worn camera company,
HALOS, has found that
two-thirds (68%) of the public
believe the primary reason
businesses should use body-
worn cameras is to protect retail
staff from abuse, and 60%
believe the cameras help deter
antisocial behaviour in busy
public settings like supermar
kets or train stations.
In a sign of shifting attitudes,
almost a third (31%) also value
their role in capturing evidence
during disputes.
More than half of UK
consumers say body-worn
cameras make them feel safer,
while 44% admit the presence
of one would make them
reconsider how they act.
And while the technology is
becoming more common across
public spaces, it isn’t always
front of mind. Just over a third of
people say they’ve never
noticed a body-worn camera in
action – suggesting that for
many, the cameras are doing
their job quietly, without
disrupting the atmosphere.
Only one fifth say they feel
uncomfortable when they do
spot one.
It was reported last year
Lincolnshire Co-op has issued
body cameras to staff following
a rise in abuse by customers at its
99 food shops and 44 pharma
cies. Poundland staff are also
now wearing body cameras.
The cameras have been
introduced after a six-month
trial. They are worn on the chest
and activated by the flick of a
switch, and customers are able
to see themselves being filmed
on a forward-facing screen.
Customers witnessing crime wave endorse security measures
Majority of shoppers back body-
Majority of shoppers back body-
worn cameras to protect staff
worn cameras to protect staff
Asda is introducing elec
tronic shelf edge labels
(ESLs) to 250 of its largest
and busiest Express
convenience stores,
following a successful trial
earlier this year which
demonstrated increased
efficiency.
The retailer has part
nered with VusionGroup,
alongside Renovotec and HL
Display, to implement the
technology, which is designed
to simplify store operations
and free up staff time. The
move will see more than
700,000 ESLs installed across
its Express estate, replacing
the need for manual price
updates.
During a three-month
pilot at Asda’s Oxford Road
Express store in Manchester,
colleagues were able to spend
more time supporting
customers, replenishing
shelves and managing
deliveries rather than
updating paper labels. Each
site will see around 2,800
labels introduced.
The digital labels can also
display allergen information
via QR codes alongside cost,
weight and unit pricing,
offering shoppers clearer
product information at
shelf-edge.
The rollout comes as Asda
pushes ahead with its Express
store expansion, with up to 20
new locations planned before
the end of the year, starting
with Castleford next week.
Each new site will be fitted
with ESLs from day one.
Asda Express rolls out electronic
shelf labels in 250 stores
Cyberattack halts
Cyberattack halts
Asahi shipments
Asahi shipments
A cyberattack on Japanese beer
giant Asahi has halted shipments
from its breweries and there is no
resumption in sight, the company
warned, fuelling fears of shortages.
Asahi Group, producer of
Japan’s most popular beers, said it
had “experienced a system failure”
owing to a cyberattack that forced
the suspension of orders and
shipments of various beverages -
including its flagship Asahi Super
Dry.
“No immediate recovery of our
system is in sight at the moment.
Ordinary shipments remain halted,”
said a spokesperson.
Tesco lifts profit outlook
Tesco lifts profit outlook
Tesco has raised its 2025/2026
profit guidance after gaining
customers with competitive
prices.
Adjusted profit is now expect
ed to reach between £2.9 billion
and £3.1 billion, up from a previous
forecast of £2.7 billion to £3 billion,
Tesco said in a statement.
Increased competition in the
UK market had led Tesco to lower
its guidance, and Tesco used
lower price offers in the face of
competition, such as matching
prices of German-owned dis
counter Aldi.
First half net profit fell 9% to
£950m while revenue grew 3.6% to
around £36 billion.
Scoot partners
Scoot partners
with Just Eat
with Just Eat
Booker has started the national
rollout of a new last-mile delivery
partnership between Scoot and
Just Eat.
The new service will give
Booker’s symbol retailers – includ
ing Premier, Budgens, Londis and
Family Shopper – the option to offer
fast, reliable grocery delivery
without needing to manage their
own fleet or drivers. With 80% of
customers now wanting same-day
or on-demand delivery, Booker’s
symbol retailers will benefit from
direct integration with Just Eat’s
technology and courier network.
The first store – Budgens
Buckingham Park in Aylesbury –
went live on 4 September.