Digimarc helps salad bar chain fight fraud at self-checkout counters using digital watermarks | 06-01-2025 |

Picadeli which operates an expanding premium salad bar chain has turned to Digimarc to solve the issue of fraud at self-checkouts. The company, based in Sweden, but with hundreds of outlets across Finland, France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the USA has pioneered concept of fast food in a healthy salad format. The problem is with fraud occurring at the self-checkouts when customers enter a lower priced item on the product look -up (PLU) screen.

So the company is adding Digimarc's digital watermarking to its distinctive 'green bowl' branded packaging. Digimarc's invisible watermarks are embedded throughout the packaging, providing protection that is resistant to tampering and ensuring product information remains intact during self-checkout, according to the company. The 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.

The salad bar chain has seen almost continuous growth since it first launched in 2009, as consumers increasingly opt for healthy, affordable meal options, it says. A key part of its success stems from the GreenFoods subsidiary's use of artificial intelligence (AI) and connected refrigerated counters to match orders to ingredient supplies, ensuring its salads stay fresh and contributing to a major reduction in food waste.

In a statement, Picadeli said that retailers are facing rising challenges with PLU fraud at self-checkout, particularly in areas like produce, deli counters, and salad bars, citing a recent study that found retail shrink rates for businesses using self-checkout lanes are more than double the industry average at almost 4 percent.

Unlike traditional barcodes that can be manipulated or obscured, Digimarc’s technology maintains checkout accuracy without compromising packaging design or operational efficiency, it claims.

"As Picadeli scales fresh meals via its AI-powered Salad Bar across the USA, we’re committed to helping our retail partners eliminate shrink," commented 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," he added. "It's an extension of our mission to innovate and disrupt the fresh food market with cutting-edge technologies."

“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 increasing efficiency, preventing loss, and combating fraud in the retail environment.

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