Retail crime is evolving – and so must our approach to fighting it. From organised crime to aggressive individuals who steal with impunity, the threat to retail environments is increasing and becoming ever more sophisticated. Traditional CCTV alone can no longer keep up. Retailers need security that doesn’t just record incidents but anticipates, identifies, and helps prevent them before they escalate.

When “Security” Isn’t Safe Enough

The morning starts like any other. Customers browse, staff restock shelves, and security cameras hum quietly in the background. Then, in an instant, everything changes. A shoplifter makes a grab-and-run. A customer turns aggressive at the till. A group loiters near high-value stock. By the time security reacts, the damage is done – stock is lost, staff are shaken, and customers feel uneasy.

Retail crime is happening in broad daylight. Organised crime, opportunistic shoplifting and fraudulent behaviour, and rising in-store violence aren’t just security concerns; they impact profitability, staff wellbeing, and customer trust.

The challenge? Traditional security systems only see what’s already happened. Cameras record, alarms sound, and security teams sift through hours of footage – but by the time a crime is detected, it’s too late.

What if surveillance didn’t just watch – but acted?

From Observation to Action: How AI-Powered Surveillance Can Prevent Crime in Retail

Despite the industry spending £1.8 billion annually on security measures retail crime continues to grow and now costs UK businesses over £2.2 billion a year. These numbers make it clear that conventional security controls are no longer a sufficient deterrent against retail crime which has consequences far beyond financial and material loss – threatening both staff safety and eroding customer confidence. Therefore, a more advanced, proactive, and effective approach is needed to protect customers, colleagues, and secure the store from retail crime, and here, technology has a key role to play.

At Fujitsu, we believe security should be more than reactive. AI-powered threat detection can reduce theft and fraud by identifying risks before they escalate, helping retailers stay one step ahead. In the UK, we’re helping retailers turn passive security systems into intelligent, real-time crime prevention tools, ensuring safer stores, stronger loss prevention, and a better experience for both customers and employees.

Here's how Fujitsu is redefining retail security

• AI-Powered Threat Detection: Cameras don’t just record; they identify suspicious behaviour, such as erratic movements or potential theft indicators, enabling early detection and prevention of theft or fraud.
• Accurate Person Tracking: No more blind spots. Our AI-powered tracking follows individuals across multiple cameras, even in complex or busy environments.
• Automated Notification and Response: In-store security deterrents are automatically triggered in response to events, and security response teams are alerted and provided with real-time visual and context-specific situational awareness.
• Automated Incident Recording: Incident data is automatically gathered from store systems, information is extracted from the surveillance footage, and the internal recording system is updated. This captures comprehensive data for reporting and analysis.
• Ethical AI and Privacy-First Data Handling: Security must be responsible and compliant. Our solutions are built with privacy by design - secure and compliant with GDPR regulations.

A New Standard in Retail Security

Retail crime is becoming more organised, aggressive, and costly. Traditional surveillance methods are reactive, labour-intensive, and prone to blind spots. Fujitsu’s AI-powered security technology is shifting the landscape, turning surveillance into a proactive, intelligent defence against theft, fraud, and in-store violence. By integrating real-time analytics, AI threat detection, and automated incident reporting, retailers can not only reduce losses but also create safer environments for employees and customers.

The benefits of AI-driven security:

• Reduced Losses: AI-powered threat detection can reduce theft and fraud by identifying risks before they escalate.
• Safer Employees: Frontline staff face increasing risks of aggression and abuse, but the AI-driven security that operates around them provides faster, smarter, and automated protection.
• Faster Interventions: Awareness of real-time events enables security teams to respond faster to situations with enhanced context awareness, and automated interventions that protect colleagues by reducing the risk and threat of confrontation and escalation.
• Smarter Loss Prevention Strategies: AI-driven insights and data gathering help retailers optimise their risk posture and improve store layouts, staffing, and security placement to reduce vulnerabilities.

Beyond Security: The Future of AI in Retail

As AI-driven surveillance evolves, its potential extends beyond security. Tomorrow is already here, and Fujitsu’s next generation of AI machine vision technology generates real-time data to create new business insights and introduce smarter retailing environments.

• Predictive Crime Prevention: AI has the potential to forecast high-risk areas and peak theft times, enabling proactive security measures.
• AI-Enhanced Health and Safety: Using AI to observe accidents, hazards, and operational non-compliance in real-time, automating preventative measures.
• Dynamic Customer Engagement: Applying AI to observe and understand customer behaviour and intent in store and to use observed real-time insights to engage and interact with the customer at the point of decision-making.

Stay One Step Ahead of Retail Crime

Retail security is no longer about just reacting – it’s about preventing. AI-powered surveillance isn’t just an upgrade, it’s an essential tool for retailers looking to stay ahead of evolving security threats and take back control. With advanced threat detection, automated responses, and a privacy-first approach, Fujitsu is leading the way in securing the future of retail.

Ready to transform your retail security?

Discover how Fujitsu’s AI-driven solutions can protect your stores, staff, and customers. Get in touch today.