Greggs and Primark have confirmed the nationwide rollout of retrospective image-matching software to tackle soaring levels of shoplifting.
Retail crime intelligence software Auror allows retailers to build stronger cases against shoplifters by enabling them to collectively store evidence on their app.
High street stores like Primark and Greggs can post detailed descriptions of suspects, total value of goods stolen, and video evidence – making it easier to report incidents and match repeat shoplifters to offences in other shops through social-media-style profiles.
The move comes as ONS and British Retail Consortium data has revealed shoplifting is at its highest level since records began in 2003 and now costs UK retailers £2.2billion a year.
Greggs – which operates franchises and managed bakeries – has rolled out Auror in 2,096 shops.
Roisin Currie, chief executive of Greggs, said: “After an initial trial earlier this year, we have now rolled out Auror software across all of our company-managed shops.
“This software allows us to work in collaboration with other retailers, sharing knowledge to enable us to identify repeat offenders and inform local authorities who can then take appropriate action.”
Primark also hopes the nationwide rollout in all 195 of its UK stores will help clamp down on shoplifting.
A spokesperson for the high street fashion chain said: “While there’s still more work to be done, we expect this measure to help prevent crime, reduce stock loss and make more stores on our high streets safer spaces for everyone.”
Retailers believe the technology will lead to better enforcement through evidence sharing, as new data has shown that less than 20% of recorded shoplifting offences in England and Wales resulted in a conviction between 2024 and 2025.
Auror says its technology will be most effective as a deterrent for career criminals and steal-to-order shoplifters, who request ‘shopping lists’ from buyers before raiding stores.
Auror UK and Europe Vice President Mark Gleeson said: “Our retailer data tells us the top 10% of offenders are responsible for more than 70% of retail crime across the UK.
“There is a small group of prolific offenders causing the most amount of harm, and worse, they are more than four times more likely to be violent.
“Retail crime is extremely high volume and presents a scale problem, which lends itself to tech-based solutions.”
Devon and Cornwall Police earlier this month announced the implementation of Auror direct-to-police reporting following a trial last year – making it the first UK force to roll out the technology at scale.
During the October 2024 to July 2025 trial, Devon and Cornwall Police found the average time taken to record shoplifting reports reduced from 53 hours to six.
Superintendent Emma Butler Jones, head of prevention and local policing, said: “Direct reporting to the police through the Auror platform has revolutionised how we tackle business crime in Devon and Cornwall.”
Featured image: Greggs bakery on Twickenham High Street. Credit: James Keegan
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