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Table of Contents
AI in retail isn’t just a trend—it’s reshaping the industry. From personalized shopping experiences to smarter inventory, artificial intelligence is already making waves. But in 2025 and beyond, AI retail solutions have taken a leap forward, especially when it comes to security. So, how is AI being used in retail security today?
This article breaks down some of the latest AI security tools and features that are being implemented by businesses like Solink to help protect and keep businesses profitable. Let’s break down the latest AI retail tools, why they’re important, and how to start using them for a safer, smarter business.
This article breaks down some of the latest AI security tools and features that are being implemented by businesses like Solink to help protect and keep businesses profitable. Let’s break down the latest AI retail tools, why they’re important, and how to start using them for a safer, smarter business.
In what ways is AI in retail security making itself known?
AI in retail is transforming operations, safety, and sales using existing security cameras and advanced video management systems. With AI-powered security software, these cameras do more than record—they actively monitor. The cameras record continuously, within retention limits, while the software analyzes a video frame each hour to check that customer service reps are at their stations. This ensures shoppers are greeted and assisted without delay. The system also monitors shelf stock by assessing what’s visible from each camera angle, helping increase sales and avoid missed opportunities.
In terms of safety and security, AI-enabled cameras monitor high-risk areas like stockrooms and check if doors are left open, reducing unauthorized access. They also keep an eye out for any blocked aisles, notifying managers of potential hazards so issues can be resolved quickly. These video-based AI solutions give retailers valuable, real-time insights into every corner of the store, improving overall efficiency, safety, and customer satisfaction without the need for constant manual checks.
Let’s take a look at what a company like Solink is offering from a features perspective, to showcase how these sorts of situations can exist in a retail environment.
In terms of safety and security, AI-enabled cameras monitor high-risk areas like stockrooms and check if doors are left open, reducing unauthorized access. They also keep an eye out for any blocked aisles, notifying managers of potential hazards so issues can be resolved quickly. These video-based AI solutions give retailers valuable, real-time insights into every corner of the store, improving overall efficiency, safety, and customer satisfaction without the need for constant manual checks.
Let’s take a look at what a company like Solink is offering from a features perspective, to showcase how these sorts of situations can exist in a retail environment.
What are some of the best AI retail security features and tools?
Here are some of the top AI-driven tools and features within something like Solink’s software being implemented making a significant impact on retail video security:
- Virtual spot checks
- What it does: Ask any question and receive feedback based on key moments from your video feeds. Schedule recurring spot checks or conduct them as needed.
- Example: Have your store virtually audited every hour through your cameras to check if shelves are empty or displays need tidying. Get notified immediately, or set alerts only if it happens more than three times in a day. This way, you’re always aware of what needs attention, helping keep the store inviting and ready for customers.
- Line crossing
- What it does: Detects people crossing a virtual line and combines foot traffic metrics with POS data to analyze conversion rate and revenue per customer.
- Example: Detecting when people cross a virtual boundary at the entrance or within specific areas of the retail store and combining that data with foot traffic metrics and point-of-sale (POS) data.
- Zone tracking
- What it does: Measure how long people spend in a specific virtual area to better understand queue times, assess display effectiveness, and identify loitering.
- Example: Monitor queue times during peak hours and find the accurate average customer wait time data.
- Face blur
- What it does: Ensure compliance with privacy regulations by blurring faces when saving a video clip.
- Example: Review footage for operational purposes, such as monitoring traffic flow or incidents, without compromising customer privacy or violating data protection laws.
- Blocked exit detection
- What it does: Maintains a safe work environment and reduces health and safety fines by getting notified when an object is blocking an exit route.
- Example: If a delivery inadvertently blocks an emergency exit, the system will send an alert notification to address the issue, maintaining compliance and safety.
- Person and vehicle detection
- What it does: Keep an eye on key areas by logging events when people or vehicles enter those zones.
- Example: If there’s an area where people shouldn’t be in and a person is detected, we’ll log it as an event and notify you based on the criteria you choose.
- Camera linking
- What it does: Follow a person’s journey through your business with intuitive navigation from one camera view to the next.
- Example: If an incident does occur with a specific customer or staff member, their movements can be traced via camera to camera linking.
The biggest difference AI is making in retail security
By integrating advanced analytics and real-time alerts into existing camera systems, retailers gain deeper insights into their operations while protecting their business on multiple fronts.
Operational efficiency and time savings
Alongside some of the examples above here is a list of how operations can be affected by AI-drive features within your retail security system:- Inventory alerts: Low stock levels can be flagged without manual checks.
- Traffic-based staff deployment: AI analyzes foot traffic patterns, helping managers allocate staff more effectively during peak times.
- Predictive cleaning schedules: AI monitors activity levels to schedule cleaning when and where it’s most needed, keeping high-traffic areas consistently presentable.
- Customer flow insights: Identifies popular sections in the store, guiding decisions on product placement and promotional displays for higher engagement.
- Queue management: Detects long lines at checkout and alerts staff to open additional registers, reducing wait times and improving customer satisfaction.
- Streamlined compliance checks: Automates safety and cleanliness checks, sending reminders when certain areas need attention, making compliance easier to maintain.
- Reduced manual labor: With cameras tracking key operational activities, managers spend less time on routine monitoring and more on strategic tasks.
- Flexible task scheduling: Real-time data lets managers adjust staffing or shift tasks based on current store needs, creating a more responsive and efficient workflow.
Theft and ROI
- Real-time suspicious behavior alerts: Detects unusual behavior patterns, such as lingering in high-value areas, and sends instant notifications to staff.
- Automated access control: Monitors restricted areas, alerting management if someone enters an off-limits zone without permission.
- Employee theft monitoring: Identifies patterns or behaviors linked to internal theft, such as unauthorized access to stockrooms.
The future of AI in retail security
The future of AI in retail security is here, and it’s transforming the way stores protect, manage, and grow their businesses. AI-driven security isn’t just about preventing theft—it’s about creating a smarter, more responsive environment that supports everything from customer service to inventory management. With AI-powered insights, retailers gain a deeper understanding of store patterns, employee activity, and potential risks, allowing them to adapt quickly and improve operations overall.
Book a demo with us today and see what you’ve been missing.
Solink is your key to better retail security
Solink AI empowers you to unlock the unprecedented potential of your video so you can make informed decisions and drive new ROI from your existing cameras. Collect insights to inform operations, receive real-time alerts to ensure health and safety compliance, and find new sales opportunities. Solink integrates with 300+ business tools to add meaningful context to your video feeds, allowing for more nuanced AI interpretation. Our AI solution is compatible with your existing cameras and hardware, enabling any business to take advantage of video AI without expensive upgrades.Book a demo with us today and see what you’ve been missing.
