Over the past year, consumers have felt the impact of rising prices on everything from groceries to gas. While it’s easy to point the finger at retailers for passing those costs down, the reality is that businesses of all sizes are facing similar challenges. On top of that, rising security risks continue to plague retailers, making it even more important to invest in advanced security solutions—often at a high price.
Looking ahead to 2025, retailers are still grappling with major concerns like organized retail crime, long customer wait times and increasing customer frustration. But there’s good news: a smart security solution has emerged to help address these problems. Specifically, InVue’s Smart Locks.
In this blog, we’ll explore the retail security trends shaping 2025 and explain how Smart Locks can be the key solution your business needs to protect against theft, improve security, and enhance the customer experience.
4 Top Retail Security Trends of 2025
A recent survey by the National Retail Federation highlighted a troubling trend: shoplifting is no longer just a crime of necessity. Retailers report that thieves are now stealing for various reasons—or sometimes, for no reason at all. This shift has led to more brazen theft attempts. Between 2022 and 2023, retailers saw a 26% increase in shoplifting incidents, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down in 2025. In response, over 90% of retailers plan to increase their investment in loss prevention. With these challenges in mind, here are the key retail security trends to watch as we move into 2025.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword—it’s become a key part of the shopping experience. Around 70% of consumers can easily spot the gap between retailers using AI and those who aren’t. As a retailer, you can’t afford to fall behind. Today’s shoppers expect personalized, seamless experiences, and AI is at the heart of making that happen.
From tailored product recommendations to automated customer support and self-checkout kiosks, AI is revolutionizing how retailers engage with consumers. It’s clear that shoppers are embracing these tech-driven shopping journeys, and businesses are responding to the demand for more convenience.
However, while AI improves the customer experience, it also brings new security challenges. As stores rely more on AI to enhance shopping, fewer staff are physically present to monitor suspicious activity. AI cameras can detect potential threats, but they can’t stop theft on their own. This means stores need additional smart security solutions—like Smart Locks—to fill the gaps and enhance protection.
The rise of AI is driving the growth of self-serve or unattended retail. Many retailers are exploring fully unattended stores, where customers can shop, pay, and leave without interacting with staff. While this boosts convenience, it also introduces new security risks.
Without staff on the floor to monitor transactions or observe behavior, self-serve environments become more vulnerable to theft. AI-powered surveillance systems can help by detecting unusual behavior and alerting store managers in real time. However, these cameras can only detect potential threats—they can’t prevent them on their own.
This is where InVue’s access control solutions, like Smart Locks, come in. By integrating our Smart Locks with AI surveillance, retailers can create a layered security approach. Our technology allows authorized customers and employees to access products securely, while also ensuring that unauthorized access is prevented. This combined solution helps maintain security in self-serve environments, allowing stores to balance convenience and protection.
Organized retail crime (ORC) remains one of the most significant challenges for retailers in 2025. Criminal groups continue to become more sophisticated, carrying out well-coordinated thefts that can cost retailers millions annually.
What’s troubling is that ORC isn’t just about the loud, obvious “smash and grab” tactics anymore. Often, thieves work in groups, using stealthy methods to steal merchandise without drawing attention. This makes it much harder for retailers to detect and stop them before they escape with stolen goods.
To combat this growing problem, many retailers are shifting to proactive security measures. Advanced access control systems, like InVue’s Smart Locks, provide a secure, reliable way to protect high-value products and restrict access to unauthorized individuals. By adding this layer of security, retailers are able to prevent theft more effectively and respond quickly to suspicious activity, keeping criminals from exploiting store vulnerabilities.
As we move into 2025, it’s clear that one-size-fits-all solutions aren’t effective when it comes to retail security. Every store, whether large or small, needs a tailored security system that incorporates multiple layers of protection. Combining Smart Locks with AI surveillance and RFID tagging creates a more robust defense system, providing several points of deterrence.
This multi-layered approach makes it harder for criminals to exploit vulnerabilities. It also helps retailers monitor and respond to potential threats faster. Whether it’s a break-in after hours, a shoplifting incident during the day, a well-integrated system ensures your store stays protected at all times.
InVue’s Smart Locks: The Solution to Retail Security Challenges in 2025
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InVue’s Smart Locks are the perfect solution to tackle the security challenges retailers face in 2025. By offering a proactive, integrated approach, our Smart Locks directly address the key issues of organized retail crime, unattended retail, AI-enhanced shopping, and more.
InVue’s OneKEY Locks and LIVE Locks provide secure access control while delivering a smooth customer experience. Whether you’re protecting high-value luxury items, streamlining self-serve shopping, or preventing theft in unmanned stores, our locks allow retailers to control access and reduce security risks, all while keeping the shopping experience convenient and user-friendly.
OneKEY Locks simplify access control by allowing store personnel to unlock product displays with our patented IR-technology OneKEY. This enables easy access to merchandise while keeping it secure, providing reliable security against organize retail crime and other incidents of shoplifting.
LIVE Locks offer even more flexibility by allowing customers to unlock displays using their smartphones. Ideal for self-serve or unattended retail environments, this solution puts the power in the hands of the consumer, ensuring they can browse, purchase, and engage with products independently.
By combining these smart lock technologies with other tools like physical security guards, AI surveillance or RFID tracking, InVue offers a comprehensive, multi-layered security solution that prevents theft before it happens. With fewer employees on the floor and more automation, proactive solutions like ours are key to keeping stores secure while enhancing the customer experience.
InVue’s Smart Locks empower your business to stay ahead of the curve in 2025, offering the right balance of security, convenience, and customer satisfaction. Ready to elevate your retail security strategy? Contact us today and learn how we can help protect your business while embracing the future of retail.