Considerations for Video Analytics in Retail

Considerations for Video Analytics in Retail

Considerations for Video Analytics in RetailThere was a time, just a few years ago, when many people thought video analytics for the retail market would give them all the information they could possibly need by simply plugging in a camera and pressing record. The promises did not live up to the hype and video analytics never saw the rapid adoption by the retail market that was anticipated at the time.

Today, however, expectations have been reset, and video analytics systems have become more sophisticated and technologically advanced. Though it is still not a plug-and-play world, video analytics, as part of an integrated solution, can significantly empower retailers when they invest in the proper video infrastructure and take the time to understand how they want use the analytics.

Longevity and experience. When choosing the right video analytics program, make sure the supplier and installing company have longevity and experience in these complex programs and will be able to support the needs of your organization.

Video analytics companies are in large supply, but not all of them may be around in another five years. Therefore, take the time to find a supplier that meets your organization’s needs and will more than likely be available for a long-term partnership.

Applications. Loss prevention and sales/merchandising are the two main applications for video analytics in retail. With loss prevention applications, retailers must define their requirements as specifically as possible, whether they are attempting to eliminate shrinkage from internal theft, external theft or both. Although loss prevention analytics can take on a number of scenarios, as an example, a drugstore may employ analytics on the camera monitoring aisle five, where it caught a shoplifter stealing razor blades, as well as on the camera in the back room where internal theft could be suspected.

Retailers should also decide if there are specific behaviors, such as loitering, that store personnel want notifications about or if management is looking to understand transaction inaccuracies from specific cash registers.

Integration. Integration between a video management system and a retail point-of-sale system can help LP personnel with exception reporting, where LP personnel want to know if a customer was present during a voided transaction at a cash register – often the difference between a valid transaction and fraudulent one.

The use of video analytics combined with exception reporting can also prioritize which exception to view by highlighting if there is no customer present during a transaction or if the EAS tags have been removed, when available through the Article Surveillance System (EAS).

Since a video analytics system is set up to collect a lot of data, a natural inclination for retailers is to use some of that data to understand their customers’ behavior. The biggest challenges for retailers with merchandising applications are determining the specific scenarios they want data for, as well as in what form they want the data. Who will be using the data is just as important as what data they want to see.

Key to success. The biggest key to success is being able to pinpoint exactly what you are looking for from a video analytics program. This is particularly important because different applications call for different equipment, setup and data. For example, if the loss prevention department is interested in employee theft or fictitious transactions at the registers, cameras should be placed with a clear line of sight to the register. On the other hand, if management wants to analyze the behavior of how long people are standing in the queue and which end cap displays are most effective a wide-angle lens, covering a larger field of view, may be more cost effective.

About the Author

Shahar Ze’evi is the senior product manager, Tyco Security Products, responsible for the American Dynamics video management portfolio.

Featured

  • NRF Supports Federal Bill to Thwart Retail Crime

    The National Retail Federation recently announced its support for the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025. The act was introduced by Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and Representative Dave Joyce, R-Ohio. Read Now

  • ISC West 2025 Brings Almost 29,000 Industry Professionals to Las Vegas

    ISC West 2025, organized by RX and in collaboration with the Security Industry Association, concluded at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas last week. The nation’s leading comprehensive and converged security event attracted nearly 29,000 industry professionals and left a lasting impression on the global security community. Over five action-packed days, ISC West welcomed more than 19,000 attendees and featured 750 exhibiting brands. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • Tradeshow Work Can Be Fun

    While at ISC West last week, I ran into numerous friends and associates all of which was a pleasant experience. The first question always seemed to be, “How many does this make for you?” Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • New Report Says 1 in 5 SMBs Would Be Forced to Shutter After Successful Cyberattack

    Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) play a crucial role in the U.S. economy, making up 99.9% of all businesses and contributing to half of the nation's GDP. However, these vital economic growth drivers face an escalating threat—cyberattacks that could put them out of business. Read Now

  • The Yellow Brick Road

    The road to and throughout Wednesday's and Thursday's ISC West was crowded but it was amazing. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.