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I recently published an analysis on retail security on LinkedIn that generated significant engagement among industry leaders. The article highlighted alarming data from the The Impact of Retail Theft & Violence Report 2025, by the National Retail Federation (NRF), revealing a 19% increase in theft incidents in U.S. stores.

Here, we expand that discussion with a more practical and technical approach, exploring how technology can transform retail security from a cost center into a driver of profit protection.

I listed several concrete solutions that large retail chains are already using to address this growing challenge, including integrated loss prevention systems that connect data, devices, and teams in real time.

Why should retail security be a strategic priority in 2026?

Retail security is no longer just an operational issue—it has become a critical profitability factor. The NRF report shows that U.S. retailers face significant increases across multiple types of theft: supply chain theft, shoplifting, digital fraud, and repeat-offender crime. When executives from major retail chains were surveyed, they identified the biggest threats as organized retail crime, repeat shoplifting, phone scams, return fraud, and credit card crime.

In Brazil, although we do not have studies as comprehensive, data from ABRAPPE confirms a steady increase in retail losses.

Considering our socioeconomic context, legislation with less effective penalties, low inventory count frequency, and still-limited adoption of loss prevention technologies, it is reasonable to assume our indicators are even more concerning.

For this reason, 2026 must mark a turning point: placing loss prevention at the center of strategic planning, with retail security KPIs among the most relevant indicators for evaluating business performance.

What retail security technologies are global leaders implementing?

U.S. retailers are investing heavily in technology to combat losses. According to the NRF survey, 100% of respondents will maintain or increase investments in shrink-reduction software and security hardware. The main investment areas include external security measures (57% will increase investments), internal measures (50%), and centralized monitoring systems (46%).

Among the most effective technological solutions are:

  • Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems, which use antennas and smart tags to create invisible security barriers.
  • Artificial intelligence and IoT platforms, such as Darwin, which integrate multiple data sources to identify suspicious patterns and generate real-time alerts.
  • Smart cameras with behavior analysis, motion sensors, and centralized CCTV systems that enable remote monitoring and rapid incident response.

The key is integration: isolated systems generate fragmented data, while unified platforms turn information into actionable decisions to protect profitability.

How to redesign operations to reduce losses without hurting the customer experience?

Effective retail security should not create friction for customers. Successful retailers are adopting strategies that balance protection with the shopping experience. Layout redesign includes placing high-risk products in highly visible areas, creating natural control zones through shelf placement, and using strategic lighting to eliminate blind spots.

Technology should ensure products remain accessible for trial while still protected against theft. EAS systems like those offered by Inwave use electronic tags that do not interfere with product appearance but add an invisible layer of protection.

This approach solves the “Exposure Friction” problem—when excessive security measures disrupt the shopping journey and reduce conversions. By combining smart technology with strategic store design, it is possible to protect margins without sacrificing sales.

What is the role of team training in modern retail security?

Technology without human capability is wasted investment. The NRF study shows that 45% of U.S. retailers will increase investments in staff training for theft detection and response. In Brazil, we face a growing shortage of professionals specialized in loss prevention, security, and operations.

Effective training programs should include recognition of suspicious behavior, with guidance to identify patterns linked to repeat offenders and organized crime. Response protocols define clear and safe actions when incidents occur, while technology training teaches teams how to interpret system alerts and use management platforms.

Building a culture of prevention engages all employees, not just security teams, in protecting company assets.

Retailers that invest in continuous training reduce reliance on reactive solutions and build solid prevention processes, turning every employee into a guardian of profitability.

How to measure return on investment (ROI) in retail security?

Retail security should be evaluated like any other strategic investment, with clear ROI metrics.

Key indicators include:

  • Variation in shrinkage rates, measuring inventory discrepancies as a percentage of revenue before and after implementation.
  • Inventory accuracy, comparing physical counts with system records.
  • Incident reduction, tracking the frequency of reported thefts and fraud, as well as thwarted attempts.
  • Cost per prevented incident, calculating security investment divided by the number of thefts and frauds avoided.
  • Impact on sales, measuring conversion increases when previously locked products become accessible, or higher average transaction volumes at checkout due to faster processes.

Integrated systems, such as the Darwin platform, provide real-time dashboards with these indicators, enabling rapid adjustments and clear value demonstration to senior management.

Retailers that adopt this data-driven approach can justify investments and show how retail security directly protects the bottom line—transforming a cost center into a profitability engine.

What are the retail security trends for the coming years?

The future of retail security lies in the convergence of multiple technologies. Advanced artificial intelligence will enable predictive behavior analysis, identifying threats before theft occurs. Omnichannel integration will connect physical store and e-commerce data to detect sophisticated fraud. Large-scale RFID adoption will replace barcodes, enabling item-level tracking and real-time inventories.

Automated response systems will trigger protocols automatically when threats are detected, while cloud-based analytics will process data from multiple stores simultaneously to identify organized crime patterns. Partnerships with authorities will facilitate information sharing about criminal groups and repeat offenders.

Retailers that anticipate these trends will gain a significant competitive advantage.

How to structure a retail security plan for 2026?

Implementing effective retail security requires structured strategic planning. The initial diagnosis should map risk zones through historical loss data analysis, identify vulnerabilities in the current layout, and assess the effectiveness of existing systems. Priority definition classifies products by risk and value, sets loss-reduction targets, and allocates budget based on expected ROI.

Technology selection should prioritize integrated systems that connect multiple data sources, choose vendors with proven track records and retail expertise, and ensure scalability for future growth.

Continuous monitoring tracks KPIs in real time, conducts regular effectiveness audits, and keeps teams trained on new technologies. This systematic approach shifts security from reactive to proactive, protecting margins and creating sustainable competitive advantage.

Conclusion: retail security must be a priority in 2026

Retail security is no longer a topic that can be neglected or treated merely as an operational cost. Data from the NRF and ABRAPPE shows that rising losses directly threaten the profitability and sustainability of the sector.

Leading retailers have already realized that investing in integrated technology, team training, and structured processes is not an expense, it is essential margin protection.

For 2026, the challenge is clear: place loss prevention at the center of business strategy, adopt mature technologies such as EAS, intelligent CCTV, and unified management platforms like the Darwin Platform, and build an organizational culture where every employee plays a role in asset protection.

The topic is sensitive, but urgent. Retailers that act quickly will gain a significant competitive advantage over those that remain reactive.

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