In a context where losses linked to theft weigh heavily on retailers' profitability, the NRF reported a 93% increase in shoplifting incidents between 2019 and 2023,, it becomes essential to adopt security solutions that are both preventive, intelligent, and predictive . For a long time, security gates have been the main barrier against unauthorized merchandise exits. But faced with the continuous rise in shoplifting, artificial intelligence brings a new dimension to loss prevention.

🚪 Security gates: reactive but limited protection

Security gates (EAS) play an important role: they detect items that have not been deactivated or that have been stolen at the moment of exit . They are visible, easy for customers to understand, and provide an effective form of deterrence. However, their effectiveness depends on tags or anti-theft devices being properly placed, and they only intervene at the end of the journey , once the theft has already taken place.

In other words, gates are useful but act as a last resort. They cannot detect suspicious behavior upstream or prevent losses inside the store. Moreover, false alarms triggered by the gates regularly occupy staff, reducing their ability to focus on real threats.


🤖 AI: proactive detection of suspicious gestures in-store

Artificial intelligence, and in particular video-assisted suspicious gesture detection , enables a radically different approach. Thanks to real-time analysis algorithms, AI can identify atypical or suspicious behaviors (such as concealment gestures, unusual movements or abnormal interactions with products) well before the customer reaches the exit. According to Security Info Watch, 78% of retailers already use AI to trigger security events in-store.

This type of technology, such as the one offered by Oxania , offers several advantages:

  • ✅ Upstream prevention : incidents can be detected before they actually occur.
  • 🎯 Fewer unnecessary interventions : AI reduces false alarms by focusing on significant gestures, with automatic progressive zoom on the point of interest to visualize the essentials at a glance.
  • 👥 Preserved customer experience : no feeling of intrusion, as the technology is discreet and non-invasive.
  • 📊 Advanced analytics : beyond detection, features such as people counting and heatmaps allow for continuous optimization of security measures.


🔗 Security gates and AI: complementary for 360° protection

Rather than choosing between security gates and AI, retailers have every interest in 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 last line of defense at the exit.

Together, they form a complete and coherent strategy:

  • 🛒 In a supermarket, AI can detect suspicious behavior in the aisles, while the gate validates the exit.
  • 🧴 In pharmacies, AI monitors sensitive areas, particularly the most stolen products in pharmacies such as cosmetics and medications,, where security gates can do nothing.
  • 🔧 In a hardware store, AI tracks movements in high-value aisles, while gates filter items equipped with RFID tags.


🚀 Conclusion: toward intelligent and predictive in-store security

Security 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 offering a smooth and respectful customer experience .

Oxania supports retailers in this transition toward augmented security, combining the power of artificial intelligence with existing systems. A modern, balanced and effective vision to meet tomorrow's challenges.