Retailers use physical security to improve operational processes, ensure staff safety and modernise outdated infrastructure

Genetec Inc., an international provider of physical security software for businesses, has published the retail sector findings of its ‘2026 State of Physical Security Report’. The report shows that retailers increasingly view physical security as a means of improving operational processes, enhancing staff safety and supporting modernisation initiatives – thereby going beyond theft prevention. The survey polled retail professionals worldwide. According to the research, many retailers are increasingly relying on physical security data to improve decision-making, boost operational efficiency and derive greater value from existing technology investments.

Far more than mere loss prevention

Retailers are increasingly looking beyond traditional loss prevention metrics and using physical security data to improve overall business performance. More than 60 per cent of retailers cited improving operational efficiency within the security department as a key objective for using security data. An equally large proportion stated that improving security and safety was a top priority. More than half cited regulatory compliance, and almost half stated that they use security data to improve the customer experience and staff satisfaction.

Outdated infrastructure drives modernisation

Despite growing interest in AI and analytics, many retailers are initially focusing on modernising outdated environments before expanding their technologies. The biggest challenges facing retailers are an outdated physical security infrastructure (40 per cent), staff training and development (38 per cent), staff recruitment (37 per cent) and an outdated IT infrastructure (33 per cent). These hurdles shape how retailers approach modernisation.

Rather than replacing entire systems, retailers are pursuing measured modernisation strategies. Looking ahead, 54 per cent of survey respondents plan to utilise existing technologies to tackle new challenges, 51 per cent intend to use AI to optimise security processes, and 48 per cent want to evaluate new security systems for specific use cases.

“Physical security is evolving into a strategic advantage for retailers, one that goes far beyond traditional theft prevention,” says Scott Thomas, National Director for Signature Brands at Genetec. “The retailers who derive the greatest return on their security investments are those who view modernisation as an ongoing strategy rather than a one-off project. By building on their existing infrastructure whilst introducing new capabilities, they can adapt to changing business requirements without diminishing the value of previous investments.”