Age-estimation technology would make retail ‘a safer place to work’

According to the association, digital age estimation technology would make retail stores “a safer place to work and shop”, with the hope it would reduce the risk of violence or abuse associated with age verification.

The call comes after the technology was successfully trialled in five retail stores across the UK. The technology can determine the age range of a person by capturing, analysing and comparing patterns based on the individual’s face.

BRC’s most recent survey revealed retail staff face more than 1,300 incidents of violence and abuse every day. The association says one of the most common triggers for these incidents is when staff ask customers to verify their age for alcohol sales.

Tom Ironside, director of business regulation at the BRC, said: “The BRC has long campaigned for digital age estimation technology to be used to verify a person’s age for the purchase of alcohol.

“With incidents of violence and abuse against retail staff sharply rising, the technology would help to make stores a safer place to work and shop.

“Digital forms of age verification can already be used for all other age-restricted products such as tobacco, knives and medicine, and there is no reason this cannot also be extended to alcohol sales.”