The Consumer Goods Council of SA (CGCSA) is considering recommending an industry-wide biometric access system in a bid to further reduce shrinkage in fast-moving consumer good stores.
Michael Broughton, director of the council`s Crime Prevention Programme, says it has been investigating the feasibility of biometrics and is "on the brink of making a proposal to the industry". The current industry approved system uses plastic identification cards, which cost about R7.50 each.
About 1 700 retailers are using the plastic card identification system, which is in the process of being upgraded to make the cards more robust. However, the council believes a biometric system will offer additional benefits.
Broughton says these include enhanced security and other aspects such as electronic timekeeping.
While it is difficult to quantify what effect the cards have had on crime prevention, Broughton says other factors indicated shrinkage should have gone up. Instead, such shoplifting events have decreased, leading the CGCSA to the conclusion that the cards have played a vital role, which should be enhanced through the introduction of biometrics.
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