Every year, retail businesses lose billions of dollars globally to shrinkage, theft, and operational inefficiencies. But the real cost isn’t just lost inventory—it’s missed opportunities to optimize store layouts, ensure employee safety, and deliver seamless customer experiences. In 2025, commercial camera systems for retail have evolved far beyond basic monitoring. With AI video analytics, edge computing, and cloud platforms, today’s systems empower retailers to mitigate loss, boost operational efficiency, and turn video into a strategic asset.

Choosing the right solution isn’t just about security cameras—it’s about finding a platform that helps you reduce shrinkage, improve store safety, and drive operational efficiency with AI cameras. This guide breaks down the top eight commercial camera solutions for retail, comparing their technology, deployment, costs, and use cases.

At-a-Glance: Top 8 Commercial Camera Solutions for Retail

Deep Dive: 2025’s Best Commercial Camera Solutions for Retail

Spot AI

• Core Technology Capabilities and Specifications: Spot AI delivers a plug-and-play, AI-powered platform that transforms any ONVIF-compliant IP camera into a smart data source. Its hybrid architecture combines an on-site intelligent video recorder with secure cloud storage, enabling AI video analytics for real-time search, alerts, and operational insights. Spot AI’s dashboard is built for speed—users can find, clip, and share incidents in minutes, driving smarter decisions across security, safety, and operations.

• Implementation Requirements and Timeline: Spot AI is known for rapid deployment—most retail stores are live in under a week, even when reusing existing cameras. Minimal IT lift is required, with cloud onboarding and remote management included.

• Total Cost Considerations: Spot AI’s hybrid approach means lower upfront costs (reuse your cameras, less hardware), with straightforward subscription pricing that includes software updates, cloud storage, and AI features.

• Integration Capabilities with Existing Systems: Open API and camera-agnostic design mean Spot AI works out-of-the-box with most IP cameras and integrates easily with POS, access control, and inventory platforms. Retailers can unify video data with operational systems for holistic insights.

• Target Use Cases and Industry Applications:
  Ideal for retailers seeking to cut shrinkage, optimize layouts, and improve safety—without a heavy IT workload. Use cases include loss mitigation, queue management, employee safety, and remote multi-site monitoring.

Avigilon

• Core Technology Capabilities and Specifications:
  Avigilon’s system is built for evidence-grade imaging, featuring 36x optical zoom PTZ cameras, high-res fisheye models, and proprietary Appearance Search for advanced forensic investigation. Hybrid storage enables both on-premise and cloud management.

• Deployment Requirements and Timeline:
  Typical installations are more involved, especially for large-format retailers—expect several weeks for installation and configuration, especially if custom hardware is needed.

• Overall Cost Considerations:
  Premium pricing reflects Avigilon’s high-end hardware and analytics. The investment is higher for SMBs, but large retailers value the forensic search and imaging quality.

• Compatibility with Existing Systems:
  Avigilon connects with POS, VMS, and access control systems. Custom APIs support complex environments, but may require IT support.

• Primary Applications and Industry Scenarios:
  Best for large stores, parking lots, and environments needing detailed evidence collection—think big box retail or shopping centers.

Pelco

• Core Technology Capabilities and Specifications:
  Pelco is known for its open-platform architecture and NDAA-compliant hardware. Built-in AI analytics provide threat detection and integration with POS data for transaction correlation.

• Setup Requirements and Timeline:
  Implementation can be lengthy, especially when leveraging the Special Modification Request program for tailored hardware. Expect several weeks to months.

• Total Investment Considerations:
  Bespoke solutions and enterprise features come at a premium, but the flexibility is unmatched for complex needs.

• Integration Potential with Existing Systems:
  Open APIs and broad VMS compatibility make Pelco a fit for retailers with diverse tech stacks. POS, access control, and specialized integrations are supported.

• Target Scenarios and Industry Applications:
  Enterprise retailers, those with unique layouts, or supply chain security concerns benefit most from Pelco’s flexible approach.

Hikvision

• Core Technology Capabilities and Specifications:
  Hikvision offers a broad ecosystem: video security, access control, and VCA (Video Content Analytics) for heat mapping, facial recognition, and queue analysis.

• Deployment Process and Timeline:
  Primarily on-premise setups with cloud access options. Deployment is straightforward for mid-to-large retailers, but compliance review may add time.

• Total Cost Analysis:
  Competitive pricing for analytics-rich systems, but geopolitical and compliance considerations may affect total cost in regulated markets.

• Integration with Existing Systems:
  Connects with POS, inventory, and access control systems. A closed ecosystem can limit third-party flexibility.

• Ideal Use Cases and Industry Applications:
  Mid-to-large retailers needing deep analytics, business intelligence, and robust access control.

Axis Communications

• Core Technology Capabilities and Specifications:
  Axis specializes in network-centric, cybersecure solutions. Features include AXIS Live Privacy Shield (dynamic masking), vandal-resistant cameras, and audio-video integration for announcements.

• Implementation Needs and Timeline:
  Cloud-first installation streamlines setup for multi-site retailers. Bandwidth requirements are higher for cloud-heavy deployments.

• Overall Cost Considerations:
  Lower infrastructure costs (no on-prem servers), but ongoing cloud subscriptions can add up at scale.

• Compatibility with Existing Systems:
  Open APIs, VMS, and door control systems. Strong in compliance-sensitive environments.

• Primary Applications and Industry Scenarios:
  Retailers with strict privacy/cybersecurity needs, multi-location management, and audio-video integration.

Hanwha Vision

• Core Technology Capabilities and Specifications:
  Hanwha Vision’s WiseNet X series brings on-device AI analytics, real-time object detection, and TAA/NDAA-compliant hardware. Integrates with POS and inventory for shelf monitoring.

• Deployment Requirements and Timeline:
  Flexible setup: full cloud, hybrid, or edge-only. Analytics require initial training data for optimization.

• Total Investment Considerations:
  Cost-effective for compliance-driven businesses; edge AI reduces ongoing cloud costs but increases camera investment.

• Integration Potential with Existing Systems:
  POS, inventory, and VMS integrations are available. Open architecture supports a wide range of retail tech stacks.

• Target Scenarios and Industry Applications:
  Government-contracted retailers, compliance-driven environments, and those needing advanced object detection.

Genetec

• Core Technology Capabilities and Specifications:
  Genetec’s Security Center unifies video, access control, and license plate recognition. Automated incident correlation and frictionless shopping integrations set it apart.

• Setup Requirements and Timeline:
  Hybrid installations are complex and often require dedicated IT support—expect longer timelines for full integration.

• Total Cost Analysis:
  Enterprise pricing, but can provide substantial value for retailers needing unified systems and advanced automation.

• Integration with Existing Systems:
  Extensive support for video, access, and transactional systems. Open APIs for future integrations.

• Ideal Use Cases and Industry Applications:
  Large, complex retailers, loss mitigation teams, and those consolidating multiple security systems.

March Networks

• Core Technology Capabilities and Specifications:
  March Networks specializes in AI-driven retail analytics, especially for QSRs. Searchlight software integrates POS and video, with license plate recognition for mobile order pickup.

• Deployment Process and Timeline:
  Cloud-based setup is fast—ideal for fast-casual and QSR environments.

• Overall Cost Considerations:
  Subscription-based pricing; affordable for QSRs, but broader operational insights may be limited.

• Compatibility with Existing Systems:
  POS and mobile app connections are robust. Focused more on transactions than full operational analytics.

• Primary Applications and Industry Scenarios:
  Quick service restaurants, fast-casual retailers, and those prioritizing transaction analytics.

Ready to Improve Your Retail Security? Book a Demo Today

The right commercial camera system is more than a security investment—it’s a tool for creating safer stores, enabling smarter operations, and improving profitability. Spot AI puts AI video analytics, operational efficiency, and store safety within reach for every retailer, no matter your size or IT resources. Want to see how fast you can cut shrinkage, optimize staffing, and empower your team with data-driven insights? Book a demo to discover how Spot AI can help you run a safer, smarter, and more profitable retail operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key benefits of commercial camera solutions for retail?

Modern commercial camera systems deliver more than just security—they help retailers reduce shrinkage, optimize store layouts, improve employee safety, and enhance customer experiences. AI video analytics turn video footage into actionable insights, supporting loss mitigation, operational efficiency, and data-driven decision making.

Can I use my existing cameras with new AI video analytics platforms?

Yes. Platforms like Spot AI are camera-agnostic and work with most ONVIF-compliant IP cameras. This means you can upgrade to AI-powered analytics without replacing your entire camera infrastructure, saving time and money.

How does AI video analytics improve operational efficiency in retail?

AI video analytics automate the detection of suspicious behaviors, monitor customer flow, and trigger real-time alerts for incidents like long checkout lines. This helps retailers allocate staff dynamically, restock shelves faster, and resolve incidents before they impact business.

About the author

Amrish Kapoor is the VP of Technology at Spot AI, specializing in AI video analytics, system architecture, and cloud infrastructure for enterprise security and operations. With over a decade of experience in technical innovation, Amrish empowers retailers to leverage operational efficiency with AI cameras and build robust security strategies.