In a context where losses related to theft heavily impact retailers' profitability, it is essential to adopt security solutions that are both preventive, intelligent, and predictive . For a long time, security gates were the main defence against unauthorised removal of merchandise. But today, artificial intelligence brings a new dimension to loss prevention.
🚪 Gates: Reactive but Limited Protection
Security gates play an important role: they detect non-deactivated or stolen items at the point of exit . They are visible, easy for customers to understand, and provide an effective form of deterrence. However, their effectiveness relies on labels or security tags being correctly placed, and they only intervene at the end of the journey , once the act of theft has already occurred.
In other words, gates are useful but act as a last resort. They do not allow for the detection of suspicious behaviour upstream nor do they prevent losses inside the store.
AI: A Proactive Vision of Security
Artificial intelligence, and particularly video-assisted suspicious gesture detection , allows for a radically different approach. Thanks to real-time analysis algorithms, AI can identify atypical or suspicious behaviours (such as concealing gestures, unusual movements, or abnormal interactions with products) well before the customer reaches the exit.
This type of technology, like that offered by Oxania , offers several advantages:
- ✅ Upstream prevention : Incidents can be detected before they actually happen.
- 🎯 Fewer unnecessary interventions : AI reduces false alarms by focusing on significant gestures.
- 👥 Preserved customer experience : No feeling of intrusion, as the technology is discreet and non-invasive.
- 📊 Advanced analytics : Collected data allows for continuous optimisation of systems.
🔗 Intelligent Complementarity for 360° Protection
Rather than choosing between gates and AI, retailers should strongly consider combining these two solutions . AI acts as a suspicious gesture radar inside the store, capable of spotting abnormal situations in real-time, while the gates provide a final line of defence at the exit.
Together, they form a complete and coherent strategy:
- 🛒 In a supermarket, AI can detect suspicious behaviour in the aisles, while the gate validates the exit.
- 🧴 In a pharmacy, AI monitors sensitive areas (cosmetics, medicines), where gates are ineffective.
- 🔧 In a DIY store, AI tracks movements in high-value aisles, while gates filter items equipped with RFID tags.
🚀 Conclusion: For Modern Security, Let's Bet on Intelligence
Gates have proven their worth, but the future of in-store security relies on an intelligent, anticipatory, and complementary approach . The integration of AI allows retailers to significantly reduce losses , while providing a smooth and respectful customer experience .
Oxania supports retailers in this transition to augmented security by combining the power of artificial intelligence with existing systems. A modern, balanced, and effective vision to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
