Shanghai: Retail Outlets Should Install Monitoring System

From October 1, 2008, a new local standard of security technology protection system will be implemented in retail businesses in Shanghai.

According to the standard, all 24-hour retail outlets, including convenience stores, supermarkets, shopping malls, department stores and gas stations, should install video monitoring system.

The new standard also says that color cameras should be fixed at the entrances, exits and check-out counters of 24-hour stores. There should be no blind spot for the cameras at the entrances and exits and the facial features and the entire check-out process should be clearly identified on the cameras at the check-out counters. All the records should be kept for no shorter than seven days.

However, most stores complaint about the difficulties in implementing the standard. According to a representative from Lianhua Supermarket, the cost for install monitoring system is too high for convenience stores if they have to afford all the expenses on purchasing cameras and computers and the maintenance of these facilities all by themselves. The company owns more than 1,000 Lianhua Quik convenience stores in Shanghai and the total number of 24-hour convenience stores in the city is more than 4,200.