The report, ‘Retail use and experience of CCTV in the UK’, examines the current and future use of CCTV in the UK’s retail sector.
Although the report shows that more than three quarters (77.9 per cent) of the respondents still rely on analogue CCTV, 71.2 per cent were planning to roll out network cameras that use their IT network or the internet to access and share images.
Axis says that a high proportion of the respondents are organisations with more than 100 stores.
Professor Joshua Bamfield from the CRR said: “The report clearly shows that many retailers are keen to maximise their investment in their surveillance system so that it can be used as more than just a loss prevention tool.
“Although analogue CCTV still dominates in this sector, retailers are obviously beginning to realise its limitations and appreciate the additional benefits an IP-based system can deliver.”
‘Real marketing and business intelligence’
Atul Rajput, retail business development manager, Northern Europe, at Axis Communications, said: “IP surveillance delivers a host of benefits for retailers. HDTV network video cameras provide clear, useable images which can be shared between stores quickly and easily.
“And, as the footage is digital, it is far easier to locate than the images captured by analogue systems. Retailers can also monitor activity in their stores remotely over the Internet, even via a handheld device, from anywhere in the world.
“Where IP surveillance really shines over traditional analogue technology is that it is capable of far more than loss prevention and security as these systems are able to deliver real marketing and business intelligence.
“The report shows that a significant number of retailers are interested in business intelligence applications such as people counting and heat mapping solutions which can be embedded in network video cameras. This just isn’t possible with analogue CCTV.
“These insights into consumer behaviour help retailers to plan staffing levels and optimise store layouts and this contributes to improving the bottom line and customer service.”
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