The retail security sector is undergoing major changes in the face of rapid digitisation, even though it is not always equipped with adequate tools for effective data collection and visualisation - nowadays key tools for both security and operations efficiency.

Ever-changing buying and selling habits demand new services from the security industry, not only for creating a safe and comfortable environment for customers and protecting retailers' investments, but also for gathering management information.

Dahua Technology, an expert in video surveillance, told us about its Smart Retail solution, an integrated, digital system designed to help retailers avoid losses and maximise profits as well as manage the flow of people.

This has the goal not only to provide security and prevention for stores, but also to strengthen business operations with extensive business intelligence and data analysis capabilities supported by video. Smart Retail solutions can be applied to all store spaces, from access and car parks to warehouses, offices and checkouts.

Through Artificial Intelligence these tools can analysing customer and staff traffic, for reducing OPEX and helping in queue management. Heat Map AI allows optimising the display of goods in the shop and find out which products attract the most attention based on the time customers spend in an area.

Therefore, Dahua Smart Retail provides security and loss prevention by combating shoplifting, internal theft, cashier fraud and ensuring a safe and secure shopping environment, but in addition it can integrate the monitoring systems of all the shop branches, allowing the control centre staff to obtain real-time information without missing any alarms or suspicious behaviour - through the Dahua DSS platform.

Smart solutions in the retail world are indispensable today: digital transformation through innovative technologies increases competitiveness in the market and guarantees security at the point of sale, along with maximising investments.