Loblaw expanding body-worn camera pilot to Ontario

Loblaw's head office in Brampton is seen in this file image from Jan. 22, 2007. (CP PHOTO/Nathan Denette) (NATHAN DENETTE/The Canadian Press)

A pilot that will see some employees at retail stores owned by Loblaw Cos. Ltd. using body-worn cameras is expanding to Ontario.

The grocery giant confirmed in an email to CTV News Toronto that the pilot, which began in Alberta and Saskatchewan last year, will now extend to markets in Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba.

The pilot is aimed at reducing “violent incidents” at retail stores.

“Early results from our pilot suggest body-worn cameras may help reduce violent incidents, but a broader, longer-term evaluation across more stores and banners is needed to assess their full impact,” a spokesperson said in an email.

It’s not clear exactly which stores are involved in the pilot and if the cameras will be worn by employees at Loblaws grocery stores or Shoppers Drug Mart locations.

In a follow-up email, the spokesperson said that the cameras will be will be used at “select stores, but not across all banners.”

Loblaw said the goal of the pilot is to evaluate how the presence of body cameras impacts de-escalation in “potentially violent situations.”

According to the Retail Council of Canada, retail-related violence is on the rise across the country and retailers have cited more instances of “violent individuals” in their stores since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• READ MORE: ‘Privacy is dead’: The questions being raised over body cameras in stores

In terms of how the program will work, Loblaw said the cameras will only be worn by trained asset protection representatives, third-part security, store management, and additional team members “where applicable.”

The cameras will only be activated when colleagues are faced with a situation where there is a risk of escalation and fear for one’s safety and/or the safety of others, Loblaw said. Employees will be trained to inform those around them when they turn on the camera.

“The safety of our customers, colleagues, and stores remains our priority. Our expansion of this pilot highlights our ongoing commitment to creating a safer shopping environment for all,” the Loblaw spokesperson said.

Retail analyst weighs in on body-cam pilot

Speaking with CP24 late Monday afternoon, retail analyst Bruce Winder said this move by Loblaws represents “the times we live in right now.”

“You just have to hop on the internet to look at all the smash-and-grabs that are happening. People, you know, abusing retail staff, violence in retail stores, and I think what Loblaws trying to do is deescalate it,” he said, adding as far as he understands the bodycam program is only being implemented in select stores and at select times.

“It’s not really going to be used extensively. It’s not like every store is going to have every clerk with a bodycam. It’s not like that at all, like a police officer.”

However, he said it’s gotten to the point that some people no longer want to work in retail any more because of the violence they’ve experienced on the job.

In terms of privacy, Winder added that the cameras would only be used at certain points when a violent situation arises and Loblaws has the right to do so.

“And my understanding is that the staff is going to tell the customer, ‘Listen, you know, you’re going to be recorded now,’ so I don’t think it’s going to be that big an issue if you’re getting violent with people in a store,” he said.

“I think the company has every right to record that and send it to the police officers.”