Facial software to spot top clients

Luxury retailers could soon be using facial recognition software to spot their best customers coming into the store, ensuring they get the VIP treatment that they crave, according to the technology giant NEC IT Solutions.
The firm, which provides software to help security services expose terrorists and other criminals, is currently running trials of the VIP scheme in a dozen top stores and hotels in Britain, the US and the Far East.
It works by analysing footage of customers’ faces as they walk through the front door, which is then checked against a database of top customers or celebrities held by the store or hotel.
This then triggers an alert to staff members and managers – computer, iPad or smatphone – to be on the look-out.
NEC IT Solutions vice-president Chris de Silva said the software could be seen as an extension to loyalty card programmes, which allow retailers to analyse purchases and then send tailored messages to lure customers back.
He added: “Essentially if a human can identify a face, our system can also do so – but it never gets tired or bored.
“Maybe it [could be used to] try to get the personal element back into the high street. The luxury end of the market is quite interested in it – they’re interested in VIPs.”