Retailers with thousands of locations across the U.S. face an increasingly urgent challenge of violent in-store incidents rising at an unprecedented rate. According to the National Retail Federation's (NRF) 2024 National Retail Security Survey, nearly 60 percent of retailers reported increased violent crime, forcing businesses to prioritize security.
The impact is measurable and far-reaching. Employee safety concerns are contributing to higher turnover rates. Customers choose safer shopping environments, shifting foot traffic away from high-risk locations. Store operations are frequently disrupted by incidents that compromise the well-being of staff and customers as well as long-term revenue and brand trust.
Mike Korcuba, Telaid's Vice President of Sales and Physical Security Practice Lead, underscores the situation's urgency. "Retail violence is no longer a rare occurrence, it is a persistent and growing challenge. Enterprise retailers must shift from reactive security models to proactive, integrated security strategies that prevent crime before it happens."
A Scalable Security Model for Multi-Site Retailers
For retailers operating hundreds or thousands of stores, the complexity of securing diverse locations cannot be solved with a one-size-fits-all approach. Telaid specializes in deploying, optimizing, and unifying security solutions at scale, ensuring enterprise retailers have a seamless, real-time security network that meets the needs of high-traffic, high-risk environments.
Real-Time Monitoring & Security Operations Centers (SOCs)
Nationwide retailers cannot rely on manual security oversight at each location. Telaid integrates cloud-connected surveillance systems that enable enterprise-wide visibility, allowing retailers to monitor multiple locations in real time from a centralized Security Operations Center (SOC).
AI-powered cameras identify loitering, aggressive behavior, and early indicators of violent incidents, sending instant alerts to corporate security teams. Remote security monitoring ensures every location is connected to security professionals who can intervene immediately, reducing reliance on local store associates. Integrated data streams from cameras, access control, and alarms create a unified security ecosystem that allows security teams to prioritize threats and respond faster.
Korcuba explains, "The ability for systems that may not have communicated before to share information quickly transforms how security teams respond to incidents. When every location is connected through a centralized security platform, decision-making is faster, threats are neutralized earlier, and disruptions are minimized."
Access Control and Automated Store Lockdowns
Managing access to high-risk areas is a growing priority for retailers facing rising incidents of in-store violence. Automated access control solutions deployed by Telaid allow enterprise retailers to restrict unauthorized entry to sensitive areas while enabling rapid lockdown capabilities.
Keyless entry and remote locking allow security teams to lock down stores or specific areas instantly, reducing real-time escalation risks. Tiered access control ensures that only approved personnel can enter stockrooms, cash offices, and restricted zones. Cloud-based credentialing systems allow retailers to manage access permissions centrally across thousands of stores, eliminating inconsistencies between locations. "Retailers need solutions that document security threats and actively prevent them. With the right access control technology, we allow retailers to stop violent incidents before they escalate," says Korcuba.
Advanced Security Measures to Deter Violence
Beyond monitoring and access control, Telaid is helping retailers implement cutting-edge technologies that enhance incident prevention and response.
Self-locking store entrances and exits prevent mass shoplifting mobs and organized crime groups from quickly exiting with stolen merchandise. Body-worn cameras for security personnel serve as a visible deterrent to aggression, significantly reducing incidents of customer and employee confrontations. Gun detection AI technology enables retailers to identify firearms or concealed weapons in real time, triggering immediate security interventions.
Telaid enables enterprise retailers to take a proactive stance on violent crime rather than merely reacting to incidents by combining technology-driven deterrence with centralized monitoring and rapid response capabilities.
Why Security Is a Competitive Advantage in Retail
Retailers are no longer implementing security measures just to comply with safety requirements—they are doing so to protect long-term revenue, customer loyalty, and employee retention.
Investing in a scalable, future-ready security infrastructure for national chains delivers multiple benefits. Store disruptions decrease due to fewer crime-related closures and incident investigations. These security enhancements reduce workplace safety concerns, leading to improved employee retention. As stores become safer, customer trust grows, driving increased foot traffic and stronger brand loyalty. Corporate security teams gain the tools to respond effectively to threats at scale, minimizing overall risk exposure.
"Retail security isn't just about loss prevention anymore, it is about creating a safer, more predictable environment where employees feel safe, customers feel comfortable, and business operations run without disruption," Korcuba adds.
A Future-Ready to Retail Security
As organized retail crime and in-store violence continue to evolve, enterprise retailers must proactively mitigate security risks. A scalable, integrated strategy is essential to protecting people and assets while ensuring uninterrupted store operations.
Telaid partners with some of the largest retailers in the U.S., providing future-proof security strategies designed to seamlessly scale across thousands of locations while integrating the latest in AI-driven surveillance, access control, and real-time monitoring.
