Retailers Turn Physical Security Into Strategic Asset, Genetec Report Finds

Genetec Inc., the global leader in enterprise physical security software, has released retail-specific findings from its 2026 State of Physical Security Report.

Based on responses from retail professionals around the world, the study indicates that physical security is increasingly viewed as a business function that supports operations and employee safety, rather than being focused solely on loss prevention.

While day-to-day security issues across stores remain, many retailers are now tapping physical security data to inform decision-making, raise operational efficiency and maximise returns on existing technology investments.

Looking beyond traditional loss prevention metrics, more than six in ten retailers identified improving operational efficiency within the security department as a primary objective for security data, with an equal share prioritising enhanced safety and security. Over half (55%) cited compliance, and nearly half (48%) reported using security data to improve both customer and employee experience.

Despite rising interest in AI and analytics, a significant proportion of retailers are concentrating first on updating ageing environments before broadening their technology footprint.

The report highlights key operational hurdles: ageing physical security infrastructure (40%), training and upskilling staff (38%), attracting and hiring talent (37%), and ageing IT infrastructure (33%). These pressures are shaping how modernisation programmes are planned and executed.

Rather than replacing entire systems, retailers are favouring measured, phased upgrades. In the period ahead, 54% plan to leverage existing technology to address new challenges, 51% intend to use AI to streamline security processes, and 48% expect to evaluate new security systems for specific use cases.

www.genetec.com