At the end of March, Asda began trialling Live Facial Recognition at five stores in Greater Manchester in a bid to assess how the technology can be used to improve colleague and customer safety in store.

Amid an increasingly serious epidemic of retail crime, the retail giant recorded approximately 1400 assaults on colleagues last year, an average of four per day. Asda and other businesses are exploring new ways to combat the problem, one of which is trialling this facial recognition technology.

It is integrated into the retailer’s existing CCTV network, scanning images and comparing results to a known list of individuals who have previously committed criminal activity on an Asda site. If a match is found by the automated system, within seconds a member of Asda’s head office security team can conduct a check and feedback to the store in real time.

However, Asda’s use of the technology has come under scrutiny, with Big Brother Watch claiming it has garnered over 5000 complaints from shoppers.

On its website, it is calling on its subscribers to tell Asda to “stop spying on customers”, asking them to add their name and argument to their campaign.

However, in a statement to Grocery Gazette, Asda rejected the claim it has received thousands of complaints, stating it has received 89, with a spokesperson saying this is all the number of complaints they have received through any of its official email channels.

“Like all retailers, our stores are subject to increasing and unacceptable levels of retail crime and, on average, four Asda colleagues were assaulted at work every day last year,” said the spokesperson.

“We have launched this trial in five stores for a limited period to assess how it can keep colleagues and customers safe. This trial uses Asda’s existing CCTV system and fully complies with all data protection regulations.”

The trial is for an initial period of two months, with the results to be assessed before a decision is taken on whether to extend the trial or roll it out to further locations.

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More than 200 employees were dismissed without consultation, as part of the retailer’s radical restructuring plan.

They had been contracted to work on the chain’s transformation and separation of its IT system for previous owner, Walmart prompting the creation of ‘Project Future’.

The work was hindered by a series of setbacks and delays, including a botched updated which resulted in thousands of their employees being incorrectly paid, while the supermarket also avoided a penalty charge for failing to meet Walmart’s original deadline to separate its IT system. It is understood they have reached an agreement to extend that deadline.

A spokesperson for Asda said that the majority of its operations have now transitioned to new systems as part of ‘Project Future’.

“For many teams the work is done and so it is natural that colleagues leave the project as the specific workstreams they are working on are completed or as their contracts finish,” said the spokesperson.

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This follows a recent £2.8 million investment from the snack company, which opened a second site in 2020 to facilitate increased demand for its premium snack range.

Founded in 1996, Kestrel Foods has built a reputation for producing innovative, ethically sourced snack products, including dried fruits, nuts, and chocolate-coated treats.

Asda shoppers will be able to enjoy seven Forest Feast products including Slow Roasted Nuts such as Heather Honey & Sea Salt Cashews & Peanuts, Sea Salt & Black Pepper Nut Mix, and Sea Salt & Vinegar Roasted Nut Mix. They will also be able to enjoy some of the brand’s Chocolate Dipped Fruit range including Dark Chocolate Sour Cherries and Milk Chocolate & Peanut Butter Dates. Additionally, new premium dried fruit lines Preda Fair Trade Mango and Berries & Cherries.

Johnny Weir, Commercial Director at Kestrel Foods said: “From our hero product of Fairtrade Preda Mango to the Slow Roasted Nuts and Chocolate Dipped Fruit range, we believe there truly is something for everyone in our award-winning Forest Feast snack range.

“Sustainability is also very important to us, and we are proud to craft our products with ethically sourced ingredients, including Cacao-Trace Chocolate which ensures fair premiums and community investment in schools and hospitals.

“We are proud to secure our first national listings with Asda and look forward to nurturing this relationship in the months and years ahead.”

Cathy Elliott, NI Local Buying Manager at Asda said: “We’re delighted to welcome Kestrel Foods and their Forest Feast range of high-quality, delicious snacks to Asda stores across the UK.

“As a family-owned, local business with over 25 years of experience in crafting exceptional products, they bring a unique dedication to quality and sustainability that we know our customers will appreciate.

“At Asda, we are always focused on offering shoppers options that align with their evolving preferences, including more sustainable and ethically sourced choices. We’re excited to introduce the Forest Feast product lines to our stores and look forward to seeing how our customers respond to these standout snacks.”

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This planning decision is significantly positive for Downpatrick following the disastrous flooding in the town and has been taken after the applicant, Celpark Ltd, worked closely with local elected representatives, the local community and stakeholders, before lodging the formal planning application with the council, to ensure local community alignment with the plans.

Welcoming the news of the granting of the planning permission, a Celpark spokesperson said: “We warmly welcome the decision by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to approve our planning.

“We are in jubilant mood as we view the approval as an opportunity to establish a major landmark shopping destination for both the local Downpatrick and wider communities.”

An Asda spokesperson highlighted the importance of the granting of the application for the replacement store.

“In the months since the closure of our Downpatrick store as a result of the devastating flooding, we’ve seen first-hand how much of a key role Asda plays in the local community. Whilst we are pleased that the temporary store is serving the town and the wider area, a long-term solution is required,” they said.

“That’s why we’re excited to get planning permission for a new permanent store which will bring the full range of Asda groceries and fresh foods, including the Exceptional and Just Essentials by Asda lines as well as George clothing back to Downpatrick, including a new petrol filling station attached to the store.”

The redevelopment, with 9,000 sq m of floor space, will include an Asda superstore, together with the introduction of a new petrol filling station and shop, as well as three additional non-food retail units with car parking and a service yard. It is expected that this will bring a much-needed retail boost to the Downpatrick area, enhancing its retail landscape and attracting footfall due to the increased convenience and amenities it will provide for the town.

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The limited-edition Jammy Joeys will be among over 200 iconic products featuring specially designed pink packaging and on-pack messaging available at Asda stores to raise awareness about breast cancer. Additionally, a portion of sales from Tickled Pink products will be donated to breast cancer charities Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel!.

This year, Portadown-based Irwin’s Bakery, Northern Ireland’s largest independent bakery, is supporting Asda’s Tickled Pink campaign by giving its popular 10-pack Jammy Joey mini bites a pink makeover. These products will be available to purchase in all 16 Asda stores across Northern Ireland, helping put breast cancer awareness on everyone’s list.

Asda Tickled Pink is one of the UK’s longest-running charity partnerships. Over the past 28 years, the campaign has raised an incredible £92 million since its launch in 1996. Working alongside Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel!, Asda aims to raise over £100 million by 2026 to support better treatments, essential education, and life-changing support for breast cancer patients.

Gary Martin, Senior National Account Manager, Irwin’s Bakery said: “With over 100 years of rich history in the Portadown community, we’re thrilled to join iconic brands in celebrating 28 years of Asda’s Tickled Pink campaign.

“Tickled Pink is an incredible initiative supporting a truly worthwhile cause, and we’re honoured to be part of it this year by turning our Jammy Joey packs pink and donating a portion of the sales to Asda’s charity partners Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel!”

Cathy Elliot, NI Local Buying Manager at Asda added: “We are incredibly proud to have locally sourced products from Irwin’s Bakery featured as part of the Tickled Pink campaign in our NI stores.

“Every purchase of these iconic baked goods contributes to raising vital awareness and funds for treatments, education and life-changing support through Asda’s charity partners.”

Asda reward customers who purchase four products from the Tickled Pink range will also receive £1 back in their cash pot, meaning that customers will also benefit from the initiative in addition to Asda’s Tickled Pink charity partners.

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