The year-end festivities are approaching and the retail sector is starting to operate at an accelerated pace to meet the increase in demand. This period, that provides greater movement in the economy and boosts in sales, on the other hand, also poses a challenge for retailers: the increase in cases of theft and robbery. According to the Brazilian Association for Loss Prevention (Abrappe), in 2023, the thefts — both external and internal — represented, on average, 31,7% of losses in retail. In light of this scenario, technology emerges as an indispensable tool for security, offering smart solutions that help prevent these losses and optimize store operations
Monitoring flow and density
Today, the monitoring and management systems for clients and employees are more sophisticated, providing quantitative and qualitative data, in real time, about the circulation of your store, be it from those who enter, how long it stays and even who passed by the door of your store and didn't enter. With the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), generating data for real-time decision making, whether to regulate the density of space or to assist in personnel planning and service. The resource differentiates clients from collaborators, calculating entry and stay rates, in addition to identifying busier areas, what facilitates the team's adjustment, minimizing the risk of incidents. With the help of heat mapping cameras, the places with the highest traffic can be identified, allowing to redirect the flow of people, avoiding lines and long waits. During peak hours, the retailer can allocate resources efficiently and create a more organized and safe environment for consumers
Systems integration: an extra layer of protection
The integration of cameras with traditional systems, such as alarms and electronic surveillance, it is a highly effective resource to deter thefts and invasions, especially during critical hours or during the night shift. Facial recognition, for example, assists in the verification of identities, helping to track suspicious activities in real time. In cases of alarm activation, the cameras capture images for instant verification, increasing the accuracy of the answers
Heat mapping and consumer behavior analysis
Another significant innovation is the use of heat mapping, that allows retailers to identify the most visited areas by shoppers. All this information compiled in BI, presented in dashboards, by store, store group, facilitate the management of information. These resources help not only in improvement and monitoring, but also to improve product placement and the shopping experience. By knowing which sections of the store have the highest customer traffic, it is possible to optimize the arrangement of items and identify points of attention to increase consumer engagement
In parallel, analysis systems with Artificial Intelligence (AI) allow the retailer to detect unusual or aggressive activities, like fights or people running, and even harmful actions such as smoking in prohibited areas. One of the benefits of the resource is that it broadens the scope of security by covering aspects of consumer behavior, offering a complete view of the store's movement and preventing problems before they escalate
Solutions for smaller stores
In stores that face budget constraints, the use of remote monitoring cameras is an efficient and low-cost alternative. This type of equipment covers large areas through a single device, that performs movements in 360 degrees and adjusts to capture different angles, providing a complete view of the space. Connected to a remote auditing module, the lenses allow the detection of irregularities in the layout, lines and other issues that may harm the consumer experience. Moreover, the use ofbodycamsin small establishments is becoming a practical and discreet alternative. These compact devices capture images throughout the workday, without being invasive, and can be reviewed remotely, helping to increase security without affecting service
The combination of different monitoring and analysis technologies is transforming security in the retail sector. Investing in innovations not only reduces thefts and robberies, but contributes to a more pleasant shopping experience, where customers and employees feel safe, providing a conducive environment for increasing sales and customer loyalty
