The use of security systems to prevent theft in retail stores has evolved. In the early 20th century, merchants kept most of their items out of reach from would-be shoplifters in locked cases behind the counter.
Store layouts, designed for maximum visibility, vastly decreased areas where a thief could escape employees’ prying eyes. These early alarm systems eventually morphed into today’s sophisticated electric spies, including high-tech cameras and radio frequency identification.
Yet, thieves always seem to find a way to adapt, employing workarounds to the latest technology.
There is, however, a prevailing system that can give retail business owners the upper hand: Artificial Intelligence. AI is all the rage in retail shrinkage for good reason. While state-of-the-art technology acts when a perpetrator is leaving the store, artificial intelligence can predict the likelihood that a customer may be preparing to pilfer merchandise.
For instance, machine learning is programmed to recognize suspicious scenarios such as a customer lingering around expensive items, concealing merchandise in their clothes, moving out of view from a camera, and suddenly walking faster near the exit. Images of thieves can be stored so that an intelligent system can sound a warning when they enter an establishment.
Automated intelligence also does not experience the fatigue that sets in on people who have been watching screens for hours. One misplaced yawn or blink could come at the worst moment.
In addition, computer intelligence decreases false alarms. Security cameras can be overly sensitive and set off alarms when a paying customer leaves the store. Staff on the floor and those viewing security monitors could get used to the pattern and overlook genuine thieves.
In addition, AI can consume a copious amount of theft data to alert managers of which days, and what times of day, account for more shrinkage, allowing the system and staff to be hyper-vigilant at those times
Employing digital intelligence doesn’t mean a retail owner’s previous investment in other high-tech loss prevention methods goes to waste.
AI programs can seamlessly incorporate existing, standalone methods, including EAS tags that set off an alarm when someone leaves the store red-handed. This, in turn, saves true customers embarrassment when alerts are triggered when they leave the store.
Intelligent systems augment and enhance traditional loss prevention methods. Actions that directly or indirectly identify potential thieves can be transmitted to employees. AI can also sound a figurative alarm when a known thief attempts a quick-change scam or when their actions result in several voided sales.
AI can also increase efficiency by freeing up employees who would be scanning monitors to provide more customer service representatives or workers in the stockroom.
In addition, it is important to note that by watching for certain customer behaviors, AI greatly reduces the credibility of a shoplifter’s argument that they were profiled.
These are just a fraction of the significant improvements that cognitive intelligence offers over standard loss prevention technology. As shrinkage techniques advance, retailers who incorporate AI into their anti-theft strategies will gain considerable leverage in security, operational insight and long-term resilience
