Top Audio/Video Monitoring Systems for Retail in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide

Retail theft is projected to cost stores over $115 billion in 2025, a figure that underscores a deepening crisis in the industry (Source: Businessdasher). Beyond the financial impact of shrinkage, frontline staff safety is under unprecedented pressure. Retailers report a 91% increase in shoplifters exhibiting violence and aggression compared to 2019 levels (Source: TheStreet). As store footprints expand and organized retail crime (ORC) becomes more sophisticated, traditional passive recording setups no longer cut it. Retailers need intelligent, integrated retail video surveillance systems that act as proactive teammates rather than silent observers.

Modern audio/video monitoring has evolved to solve these complex challenges. Today's AI security cameras for retail combine high-definition video, audio intervention, and advanced analytics to detect incidents before they escalate. From real-time alerts on organized retail crime prevention to automated retail queue management systems, the right solution turns raw video data into a driver for profitability and safety. This guide examines the top eight solutions on the market, comparing how they handle deployment, scalability, and the critical shift from reactive investigation to active deterrence.

At-a-glance: top 8 audio/video monitoring solutions for retail

Deep dive: retail monitoring leaders unpacked

Spot AI

Spot AI transforms retail video surveillance systems from passive recording devices into active operational teammates. By deploying Video AI Agents, the platform automates detection of safety and security risks, allowing lean retail teams to monitor vast footprints without adding headcount. The system is camera-agnostic, connecting to existing IP cameras and eliminating the need for expensive rip-and-replace projects.

Retailers like Tidewater Fleet Supply have used Spot AI to unify surveillance across 14 locations into a single dashboard. By avoiding $250–$500 per camera in upgrade costs and implementing AI-powered search, they significantly reduced investigation times and eliminated blind spots with instant camera health alerts.

• Intelligent video recorder (IVR): a hybrid edge-cloud appliance that processes video locally for speed while ensuring secure cloud access.

• People search with faces: rapidly locate individuals across multiple cameras or sites to investigate organized retail crime prevention cases in minutes.

• Contextual talkdowns: AI security cameras for retail can trigger automated audio warnings when unauthorized loitering is detected, deterring theft before it occurs.

• Operational analytics: unlock video data for retail operations by tracking dwell times, queue lengths, and customer traffic patterns to optimize staffing.

Implementation Considerations: The plug-and-play nature allows for deployment in days. It's an ideal fit for retailers who need scalable retail security solutions that leverage current infrastructure while delivering advanced retail video analytics.

Total Cost of Ownership: Low upfront capital expenditure due to hardware compatibility. The subscription model includes unlimited users, cloud storage, and continuous AI updates, maximizing video surveillance ROI retail.

Eagle Eye Networks

Eagle Eye Networks provides a robust cloud VMS tailored for retailers who require deep integration with point-of-sale systems. Its architecture supports cloud based video surveillance for business, allowing operators to centralize video management without maintaining extensive on-premise servers. The platform's ability to sync video with transaction data helps identify sweethearting and refund fraud effectively.

• POS integration: correlates receipt data with video clips to flag suspicious transactions.

• Flexible storage: offers customizable retention periods per camera, optimizing storage costs.

• API ecosystem: an open API allows connections with access control and inventory management tools.

Implementation Considerations: While flexible, the hybrid model often requires a bridge appliance. The open API is powerful but may require technical resources to fully leverage custom integrations.

Total Cost of Ownership: Scalable subscription fees based on resolution and retention needs. Hardware costs are moderate, but custom integrations can add to long-term expense.

Solink

Solink is designed specifically for exception based reporting retail, linking video footage directly to transaction data. Quick-service restaurants and retailers widely use it to combat internal theft and operational inefficiencies. The platform excels at filtering vast amounts of data to find specific transaction types, such as voids or high-value refunds.

• Transactional intelligence: filter video by specific register events to detect reducing internal theft retail.

• Motion thinning: reduces bandwidth and storage usage by archiving only motion-triggered events.

• Queue analytics: monitors service speed and line length to improve customer experience.

Implementation Considerations: Solink is a cloud-first solution that relies heavily on POS integration. It focuses more on business intelligence software than physical security hardware.

Total Cost of Ownership: Typically involves a monthly fee per location. Minimal hardware is required, but ongoing operational costs are tied to the number of connected devices.

Axis Communications

Axis Communications is a leader in network video, known for manufacturing high-quality, durable cameras. For retailers facing harsh environments or needing specialized retail perimeter security solutions, Axis offers rugged hardware paired with edge-based analytics. Their cameras are NDAA-compliant and often serve as the backbone for enterprise security setups.

• Perimeter defense: thermal and radar-integrated cameras detect intruders in low-light parking lots or loading docks.

• Object analytics: edge-based classification of humans and vehicles reduces false alarms.

• Heat mapping: onboard analytics provide retail store heat mapping to visualize shopper flow.

Implementation Considerations: Axis is primarily a hardware manufacturer. While they offer software, their cameras are often deployed with third-party VMS platforms, which can increase system complexity.

Total Cost of Ownership: High initial investment in premium hardware. However, the longevity and reliability of the devices can lower replacement costs over time.

Hikvision

Hikvision offers a broad range of business security cameras and recorders, often at a competitive price point. Their Smart Retail Suite includes built-in analytics for customer footfall counting technology and queue detection, making them a popular choice for budget-conscious retailers looking to add intelligence to their stores.

• People counting: dedicated dual-lens cameras provide accurate foot traffic data.

• Heat mapping: visualizes popular store areas to inform merchandising decisions.

• Deep learning recorders: NVRs with facial recognition capabilities for VIP or blocklist identification.

Implementation Considerations: Integration with third-party systems can be complex. Retailers should also be aware of regulatory restrictions regarding certain hardware manufacturers in specific jurisdictions.

Total Cost of Ownership: Generally lower hardware costs compared to Western brands. Licensing for advanced software features may apply.

Genetec

Genetec Security Center is a unified security platform ideal for large enterprise retailers. It consolidates video, access control, and automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) into a single interface. Its Mission Control™ module helps operators manage incidents by guiding them through standard operating procedures (SOPs).

• Unified command: manages multi-site retail security management from a central location.

• Incident management: automates workflows for critical events, ensuring consistent response.

• Federated architecture: connects independent sites to a central monitoring station without heavy bandwidth usage.

Implementation Considerations: This enterprise-grade solution typically requires certified integrators for deployment and maintenance. It's best suited for retailers with dedicated security operations centers (SOCs).

Total Cost of Ownership: Licensing is often per-camera or per-device, with annual maintenance fees. The robust feature set justifies the cost for complex organizations.

Verkada

Verkada offers a hybrid cloud video security solution known for its simplicity and user-friendly design. Their cameras store footage locally on the device while sending metadata to the cloud, eliminating the need for NVRs. This all-in-one approach appeals to IT teams looking to reduce infrastructure management.

• Bandwidth friendly: low bandwidth consumption in steady state; high usage only during viewing.

• Person of interest alerts: real-time notifications when a specific face or appearance is detected.

• Environmental sensors: integrated sensors can detect vaping, noise anomalies, or air quality issues.

Implementation Considerations: Verkada operates as a closed ecosystem, meaning it requires their proprietary cameras. It does not support existing third-party IP cameras.

Total Cost of Ownership: Premium pricing for hardware and mandatory multi-year software licenses. The 10-year warranty helps offset long-term hardware replacement risks.

Avigilon

Avigilon, a Motorola Solutions company, focuses heavily on high-resolution imaging and advanced AI search capabilities. Their solution is often used in environments where image detail is critical for evidence. Avigilon also integrates with body-worn cameras, providing a comprehensive view of interactions between staff and the public.

• Appearance Search™: quickly sorts through hours of footage to locate a specific person or vehicle.

• Unusual motion detection: AI learns typical scene activity and flags anomalies automatically.

• Focus of attention: a user interface concept that highlights cameras with active events, reducing operator fatigue.

Implementation Considerations: Requires Avigilon servers and software. While powerful, the on-premise infrastructure can be resource-intensive to manage across many distributed retail sites.

Total Cost of Ownership: Enterprise-level pricing structure. Costs include server hardware, camera licenses, and software maintenance agreements.

Ready to transform retail security?

Choosing the right audio/video solution for retail means unlocking operational efficiency, boosting safety, and turning video into actionable data. Spot AI empowers your teams to reduce incident likelihood, optimize staffing, and run more profitable stores—all without adding complexity or headcount.

"When we figure out the correct placement of our Kobe jersey within the store, that typically increases sales by 5% to 15% because we're able to pull traffic into other areas and get ideas on other products that pair with it."

— Andrew Gonzalez, Corporate Director of Loss Prevention and Safety, All Star Elite

Want to see how effortless, AI-powered video can work for your business? Book a demo today and discover how Spot AI can strengthen your retail operation.

Frequently asked questions

How do audio/video systems improve operational efficiency in retail?

Modern platforms use retail video analytics to track foot traffic, queue lengths, and dwell times. This data helps managers optimize staffing schedules and validate merchandising strategies. Point of sale monitoring systems integrated with video can also drastically reduce the time spent investigating transaction discrepancies.

Can I use existing cameras with new AI platforms?

Yes, solutions like Spot AI are camera-agnostic video analytics platforms. They connect to most ONVIF-compliant IP cameras, allowing you to upgrade to advanced AI features and cloud accessibility without the cost and disruption of a full hardware rip-and-replace.

What is the typical ROI for investing in retail video systems?

Video surveillance ROI retail is driven by multiple factors: reduced shrinkage from theft, lower investigation costs (hours vs. minutes), and operational improvements like optimized staffing. Remote video guarding features can also replace or augment expensive physical guard services, delivering immediate cost savings.

How do these systems address data privacy concerns?

Leading platforms prioritize data security with end-to-end encryption and role-based access controls. Features like audit trails ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations. For retail store occupancy tracking, many systems use anonymized metadata rather than storing personally identifiable information.

What are the biggest hurdles when migrating from legacy camera systems?

Common challenges include bandwidth limitations and integration with existing IT infrastructure. Hybrid cloud video security solutions mitigate this by processing video locally (at the edge) and only sending relevant clips or metadata to the cloud, minimizing the impact on store networks.

About the author

Mike Polodna is Head of Customer Success at Spot AI, specializing in helping retailers and enterprises maximize value from Video Intelligence solutions. Mike has extensive experience guiding customers through implementation, onboarding, and ongoing optimization of AI-powered video platforms.