Retailers, both large and small, are facing rising challenges with price look-up (PLU) fraud at self-checkout, particularly in areas like produce, deli counters, and salad bars. A recent study reveals that retail shrink rates for businesses using self-checkout lanes are more than double the industry average, reaching nearly 4%1. The fresh foods category is especially vulnerable to this kind of fraud, impacting profitability.
“As Picadeli scales fresh meals via its AI-powered Salad Bar across the U.S., we’re committed to helping our retail partners eliminate shrink,” said Patrik Hellstrand, CEO of Picadeli US. “Our collaboration with Digimarc addresses key challenges like PLU fraud to ensure profitable store operations and a frictionless consumer shopping experience. It’s an extension of our mission to innovate and disrupt the fresh food market with cutting-edge technologies.”
Digimarc digital watermarks seamlessly integrate with weight-based and variable product codes, triggering automatic system overrides when entered codes don’t align with the digital watermark’s data. These invisible digital watermarks are embedded throughout the packaging, providing protection that is resistant to tampering and ensuring product information remains intact during self-checkout. Unlike traditional barcodes that can be manipulated or obscured, Digimarc’s technology maintains checkout accuracy without compromising packaging design or operational efficiency.
“As self-service and fresh food options continue to grow, so do the complexities in maintaining security and operational efficiency,” said Riley McCormack, President and CEO of Digimarc. “We’re excited to join forces with Picadeli to deliver innovative solutions that directly address these pain points. Together, we are not only reducing retail shrink but also enhancing the overall self-checkout experience for both retailers and consumers. We are committed to providing industry-leading retail solutions to enhance the retail experience – increasing efficiency, preventing loss, and combatting fraud.”
1 CBS News
