Security has always been core to a retailer's operations, especially when it comes to loss prevention. But increasingly, retailers are leveraging security technology to do much more than safeguard against theft.
With the rise of cloud solutions, advanced sensors, and data analytics, retailers are looking to their security infrastructure – and the insights it contains – to help streamline operations, drive sustainability, and proactively prevent disruptions, among other benefits.
Here are four smart ways retailers are using security as a powerful business tool.
1. Integrating legacy systems for enhanced visibility
Many retailers today face a common challenge: managing a patchwork of different security systems from different vendors, all installed over different time periods. Upgrading everything at once can be costly, but modern security solutions can help bridge the gap between old and new technologies.
Instead of replacing their security infrastructure, they can connect existing video surveillance cameras, intrusion alarms, and other systems and sensors – regardless of manufacturer or age – into one dashboard, enabling them to gain greater operational awareness across their entire physical footprint.
With a centralized platform that connects all their disparate systems, retailers can streamline operations, monitor activity in real time, manage permissions, and gain valuable business intelligence – all without the heavy investment of upgrading all their tech.
The data generated by these systems is then transformed into actionable insights, helping retailers make informed decisions and optimize overall performance.
2. Driving energy savings and sustainability
As organizations continue to prioritize environmental sustainability within their broader business strategies, retailers are following suit, exploring ways to fuel more sustainable operations. Many are looking to existing technologies to power these efforts, and security is playing a key role.
One example of this is integrating thermostats with security systems to consolidate system management, data, and insights. Just as smart home devices allow users to set “scenes” – or presets – so do these security platforms, enabling retailers to automate multiple actions with a single command or button.
For instance, when an employee is closing a store, instead of manually checking and setting each alarm and thermostat, they can simply activate a store close scene, automating all these tasks in one step.
This is an especially convenient and easy way to drive energy efficiencies, but there are many other ways security is empowering a more sustainable future. Read more about those use cases here.
3. Preserving products and preventing spoilage
Modern retail security technology extends beyond traditional loss prevention tools like cameras and alarms. By integrating environmental monitoring solutions – such as temperature sensors and water management devices (more on that later) — with their security systems, retailers can take a more comprehensive approach to risk management.
Doing so allows them to monitor, manage, and respond to potential issues in real time, reducing potential downtime and helping to ensure business continuity.
This is particularly critical in industries where inventory conditions directly impact revenue and safety. For grocers and food service providers, temperature fluctuations can mean the difference between fresh inventory and significant disruptions.
But retailers can protect their inventory from spoilage by leveraging temperature sensors, which detect temperature changes before they lead to product waste. For instance, if a freezer or refrigerator fails, the retailer will receive an alert, allowing them to step in and fix the issue before any product is lost.
With this capability integrated within their broader security program, retailers benefit from centralized risk management, enhanced operational oversight, and improved efficiency. Plus, the insights from these systems can be analyzed to identify patterns and inefficiencies, enabling retailers to take proactive steps in improving their operations.
4. Detecting water leaks before they cause damage
Likewise, water-related issues pose another hidden risk for retailers that can be mitigated through proactive monitoring. Whether it’s a slow drip from a pipe or a major burst, undetected leaks can lead to property damage, mold issues, and even business interruptions.
With water management devices and sensors integrated directly into a security platform, retailers can monitor water usage patterns and receive alerts when anomalies occur. For instance, a retailer may notice an unexpected spike in water usage overnight when no employees are on-site, indicating a possible leak. Or if a toilet is running continuously, the system can automatically shut off the water to prevent excessive waste.
This proactive approach helps retailers mitigate costly damages, reduce water waste, and avoid potentially disastrous repairs that may disrupt operations – all while maintaining visibility and control over their operations.
Security as a source of business intelligence
These retail use cases represent a broader trend in the industry: Businesses are increasingly looking to their security systems as sources of business intelligence and integral components of their operational strategies.
In fact, nearly half (46%) of organizations are using data from their security technologies to improve employee and customer experiences, according to the 2025 Technology Outlook Report. And 45% are using their security tech to increase operational efficiencies and cost savings.
For retailers and other organizations, the future is indeed about enabling smarter, more sustainable, and more efficient business operations – and security is an essential part of that equation.
