Heatmaps, or heat maps, are visual representations of spatial data that show where customers spend the most time in a store. Thanks to artificial intelligence and the surveillance cameras already present in many points of sale, these maps accurately reveal the busiest areas, less visited aisles, and major areas of interest.
Unlike traditional analyses based on sales or receipts, heatmaps capture actual in-store activity: they allow for understanding traffic flows, identifying bottlenecks, and pinpointing "cold" areas with low engagement.
By integrating this technology, retailers have a valuable tool to adjust layout, test new product placements, or optimize the store's hotspots to maximize their commercial impact.
🛠️ Concrete Applications for Grocery Stores, Pharmacies, and DIY Stores
In supermarkets, heatmaps can, for example, evaluate the relevance of endcap displays or verify if promotional products truly attract customer attention.
For pharmacies, where customer journeys may be more oriented towards specific needs, the analysis helps organize shelves intuitively, bringing frequently sought products closer together and reducing the time spent searching for an item.
As for DIY stores, these maps reveal hesitation areas and help position information supports or assistants to streamline the journey and purchase.
📉 Reduced Losses and Improved Resource Management
Heatmaps are not only used to improve the customer experience: they are also a loss prevention tool. By identifying frequently visited but less supervised areas, security managers can optimize the positioning of teams or smart sensors.
The AI developed by innovative companies like Oxania can even identify suspicious behavior through gesture analysis, while respecting customer privacy. Retailers gain a complete view to anticipate incidents.
Result: reduced losses, better human resource allocation, and increased peace of mind for field teams.
🌐 A Technology Adopted by Several Thousand Users Thanks to Oxania
Oxania, a specialist in detecting suspicious gestures in stores, already provides these tools to several thousand professional users in the retail sector. Its system is based on a combination of computer vision, advanced analytics, and a clear and intuitive interface so that every store manager can make informed decisions.
Oxania transforms classic surveillance into a true strategic optimization tool.
In an era where every square foot matters, adopting a heatmap analysis solution becomes a decisive competitive advantage for any retailer concerned with operational efficiency.
