industry focus
The Future of Modern Retail Security: Beyond Prevention to Empowering People
Retail is at a turning point.
Faced with shrinking margins, rising customer expectations, and evolving threats, traditional loss prevention (LP) strategies can no longer stand alone. What was once about deterrence is now about enablement. Modern LP for retailers must evolve into a strategic asset, supporting performance, empowering associates, and earning shopper trust.
This transformation is already underway. According to the Incisiv 2025 State of the Industry: Store Innovation report, 50% of retailers plan to adopt AI-powered LP solutions in the next year. Of those, 75% expect a reduction in shrink and nearly 80% expect improved inventory accuracy. These shifts mark a clear change: LP is no longer reactive - it’s predictive, data-driven, and central to retail innovation.
Shrink still poses a significant challenge in retail and it is impacting profits and limiting growth. But when addressed proactively, this pain point becomes a launchpad for reinvestment and innovation. Reducing shrink directly improves margins, creating room to enhance operations, upgrade systems, and invest in the workforce. Modern LP solutions also deliver high-quality data that enables better merchandising, reduces waste, and improves fulfilment. In this context, loss prevention becomes less about managing risk and more about unlocking future value.
From Transaction Security to Experience Design
Today’s LP must operate at the speed of the customer. Outdated tools like intrusive surveillance and hard tags often compromise the shopping experience. By contrast, intelligent, AI-powered systems enhance it. This is especially true at self-checkout, a critical touchpoint where speed, trust, and accuracy matter most.
Solutions like Toshiba’s ELERA® Security Suite use AI, computer vision, and real-time analytics to guide customer behaviour, ensure scan accuracy, and flag potential issues without halting the checkout flow. The result is less friction, stronger trust, and a more intuitive customer journey.
Empowering the Frontline
Retail associates play many important roles such as being the face of the brand, the first line of defence, and are critical to store performance. But to be their best, they need support not stress. Next-generation LP systems empower staff with real-time insights and smart alerts. Rather than being pulled into every checkout intervention, this technology allows associates to focus on service while systems resolve issues or flag when escalation is needed. This reduces burnout, lowers turnover, and builds a more resilient workforce.
The future of LP is intelligent, integrated, and people centric. It blends automation with human insight, enabling retailers to predict, prevent, and perform, all without compromising experience. Retailers who embrace this shift aren’t just preventing loss, they’re creating smarter stores, stronger teams, and sustainable growth.
