A human element will be key factor during Foodstuffs North Island's facial recognition technology trial.

Up to 25 New World and Pak'nSave stores will have the technology trialled over the next six months, to potentially reduce retail crime.

The technology analyses facial features and matches them against the store's record of offenders and accomplices.

Foodstuffs North Island general counsel, Julian Benefield, says they have a minimum accuracy threshold of 90 percent before staff intervene.

"Two highly trained store team members then need to look at the image and confirm that for themselves that it is the repeat offender before they take any action."

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