Retail loss prevention is a growing concern for businesses across North America. From organized retail crime and shoplifting to internal theft and operational errors, the costs of preventable losses are staggering. According to the National Retail Federation, retailers lost an estimated $112.1 billion in 2022 due to shrink, and the trends since have shown little to no signs of slowing. In that same NRF report, retailers reported that Organized Retail Crime (ORC) continues to be a serious issue for the industry, with rising levels of violence making it even more concerning. In fact, 67% of retailers reported an increase in violent and aggressive behavior from ORC offenders compared to the previous year.
While many retailers are strengthening their loss prevention and asset protection efforts, some have had to take more drastic steps. In response to retail crime, nearly half have reduced their operating hours, close to a third have had to shut down specific store locations, and many have changed or limited the products available in-store to minimize risk.
At ECAM, North America’s largest provider of remote video monitoring, we specialize in proactive retail loss prevention services that help businesses safeguard assets and property, protect staff, and optimize operations. Our integrated technology solutions go beyond traditional security, helping retail operations of all sizes reduce shrink and improve long-term profitability.
Understanding the Need for Modern Retail Loss Prevention
Today’s retail environment is more complex and more vulnerable than ever before. High inflation, staffing shortages, and increased foot traffic have left many stores exposed.
High Inflation and Operational Strain
One debate that remains ongoing in this current era of high inflation is whether inflation itself increases shrink. While a recent report indicated that there is no evidence to support that inflation is directly responsible for increases in retail losses, it does seem to have a significant impact on how losses are calculated. The broader economic effects however, like tighter budgets and volatile pricing, make traditional loss metrics less meaningful and shrink harder to accurately track.
Retail and commercial businesses and properties are also facing rising operational costs. With multiple forces converging to squeeze their bottom lines, retailers are also facing increased costs- from labor, to rent, to theft- all eroding profit margins. In 2024 alone, U.S. retailers closed over 7,300 stores. That’s the highest annual total since the pandemic, and it’s a 69% increase in closures from the previous year. Industry analysts project up to 15,000 store closures in 2025, more than double the 2024 count.
Staffing and Labor Shortages
Another operational strain? Labor shortages. Since the pandemic, many frontline retail positions remain unfilled or under-resourced. Workers left the industry in droves, with nearly 700,000 retail workers quitting in April 2021 alone. The retail industry has yet to recover, and those that remain are stretched beyond their capabilities, impacting customer experiences, quality of service, and increasing vulnerability to theft.
While conventional CCTV cameras offer a record of events, they often fall short when it comes to preventing retail loss in real time. The “new normal” in retail calls for proactive, real-time loss prevention rather than passive footage review. Elevated costs, labor issues, and erratic customer flow require retailers to adopt proactive tools, like AI-driven analytics, live video monitoring, integrated platforms, mobile surveillance unites (MSUs), and hybrid guard and technology solutions to help effectively prevent retail loss in real time.
By leveraging these technologies alongside human oversight, retailers can pivot from reaction to prevention, safeguarding both their bottom lines and employee well‑being.
That’s where ECAM steps in with proactive, intelligent solutions designed to deter incidents before they happen.
What Makes ECAM Different
Unlike passive CCTV setups, ECAM’s retail loss prevention strategies are built on a combination of AI-enabled video analytics, real-time human monitoring, and audio deterrence. This approach enables us to stop theft, vandalism, and suspicious activity as it’s unfolding, and not hours or days after the fact.
Key components of ECAM’s retail security solutions include:
- Live Video Monitoring: Our trained operators watch camera feeds in real time, detecting threats and responding instantly with customized protocols.
- Smart Video Analytics: Advanced software flags unauthorized behavior, loitering, and suspicious movements for faster incident identification.
- Onsite Audio Speakers: Operators can issue immediate verbal warnings to deter potential shoplifters or loiterers before a crime occurs.
- Mobile Surveillance Units (MSUs): For standalone retail stores or parking lots, our AI-powered MSUs provide flexible coverage with thermal imaging and motion detection.
- Incident Reporting and Law Enforcement Coordination: If a situation escalates, ECAM provides verified evidence and supports timely police response.
These tools form the backbone of our retail loss prevention services, ensuring that threats are not just observed, but actively addressed.
The Importance of Proactive Loss Prevention in Retail
Many retail loss prevention strategies still focus on documentation rather than deterrence. But as criminal tactics evolve, so must the tools used to prevent them. ECAM’s proactive approach shifts the mindset from reactive investigation to real-time intervention.
This proactive model is essential for:
- Preventing Organized Retail Crime (ORC) rings from targeting stores
- Reducing internal theft through increased visibility
- Monitoring high-liability zones like stockrooms, entrances, and checkout areas
- Dissuading loitering or hostile behavior, especially in high-traffic locations
- Securing parking lots and loading docks, common blind spots for theft
Rather than waiting for loss to occur, ECAM helps businesses prevent it outright, ultimately maximizing security ROI and minimizing disruption.
Scalable Retail Loss Prevention Services for Any Size Business
Whether you’re a small business owner or managing dozens of retail locations nationwide, ECAM’s flexible solutions can scale to meet your needs. Our experts will assess your property and design a customized plan using a mix of permanent infrastructure cameras, mobile surveillance units, and AI-powered detection zones.
From convenience stores and specialty boutiques to big-box retailers and shopping centers, ECAM offers tailored retail loss prevention strategies that fit your operations and budget, often delivering ROI within a few months of deployment.
Future-Proofing Your Retail Security
As retail continues to evolve, security systems must keep pace. ECAM’s integrated, tech-forward approach ensures that your security solution is adaptable, cost-effective, and ready for what’s next. With 24/7 support, customizable protocols, and real-time visibility, our retail partners stand to gain both peace of mind and a competitive edge.
Don’t Wait for Loss to Hurt Your Bottom Line
If your business is still relying on passive cameras and delayed response times, it’s time to modernize. ECAM’s comprehensive retail loss prevention services are designed to actively deter crime, protect people and assets, and help your business thrive in today’s challenging environment.
Contact ECAM today to schedule a retail security assessment and explore how our solutions can reduce shrink and enhance your bottom line.
