Retailers “expanding physical security beyond loss prevention” reports Genetec

Posted to News on Thursday, August 27, 2026 Share:

ENTERPRISE PHYSICAL security software specialist Genetec has released retail-specific findings from its 2026 State of Physical Security Report. Based on responses from retail professionals operating worldwide, the research shows that retailers increasingly now view physical security as a business function supporting operations, employee safety and modernisation efforts rather than solely as a loss prevention measure.

While retailers continue to manage everyday security challenges across stores, many are expanding how they use physical security data to improve decision-making, increase operational efficiency and derive additional value from existing technology investments.

Retailers are increasingly looking beyond traditional loss prevention metrics and using physical security data to improve broader business outcomes. More than 60% of those retailers surveyed identified improving operational efficiency within the Security Department as a primary objective for security data, while an equal percentage said that improving safety and security is a top priority.

More than half (55%, in fact) cited compliance, while nearly half (48%) said they are using security data to improve the customer and employee experience.

Technology footprint

Despite growing interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and analytics, many retailers remain focused on modernising ageing environments before expanding their technology footprint.

The Genetec report finds that ageing physical security infrastructure (40%), training and upskilling staff (38%), attracting and hiring talent (37%) and ageing IT infrastructure (33%) rank among retailers’ biggest operational challenges. These challenges are most certainly influencing how retailers approach modernisation.

Rather than replacing entire systems, retailers are pursuing measured modernisation strategies. Looking ahead, 54% of retailers plan to leverage existing technology in order to address new challenges, 51% intend to use AI to streamline security processes and 48% plan on evaluating new security systems for specific use cases.

Strategic business asset

“Physical security is becoming a strategic business asset for retailers, extending well beyond traditional loss prevention,” explained Scott Thomas, national director for signature brands at Genetec. “The retailers that will see the greatest return on their security investments are those that treat modernisation as an ongoing strategy rather than a one-time project.”

Thomas concluded: “By building on existing infrastructure, while also introducing new capabilities, retailers can adapt to changing business needs without sacrificing the value of past investments.”

*Further information is available online at www.genetec.com