Core Insights - Johnson Controls' retail solutions unit, Sensormatic Solutions, has launched a new electronic article surveillance (EAS)-based capability aimed at helping retailers tackle product-level losses, introduced at the National Retail Federation (NRF) Big Show [1] Group 1: Product Overview - The Category-Level Shrink Insights ecosystem transforms existing EAS installations into an intelligence-driven loss prevention system, utilizing acousto-magnetic (AM) technology to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience [2] - This platform integrates Shrink Analyzer analytics with Sensormatic Solutions' established loss prevention capabilities, providing a comprehensive approach to understanding and mitigating losses [2][3] Group 2: Functionality and Benefits - The system is designed to help retailers identify the origins of losses, pinpoint high-risk merchandise categories, and evaluate the operational impacts of shrinkage [3] - It combines analytics, exit systems, AM technology, source-tagging programs, and global support teams to deliver actionable insights [3][4] - The platform enables store-specific shrink reporting, organized retail crime (ORC) geo-mapping, predictive analysis, and video monitoring, enhancing visibility into loss patterns and risks at individual locations [5] Group 3: Strategic Implications - Category-level intelligence can inform merchandising and protection strategies, improving on-shelf availability, reducing shopper friction, and supporting omnichannel fulfillment [5] - The system's capability for faster deactivation of AM tags and labels aims to minimize nuisance alarms and streamline checkout processes, further enhancing the retail experience [6]

Core Insights - Zebra Technologies Corporation's 18th Annual Global Shopper Study reveals the increasing importance of Gen AI and automation in retail, with 87% of retail leaders emphasizing their role in loss prevention [1] Retail Experience and Shopper Satisfaction - Retailers are focusing on connecting physical and digital experiences through intelligent workflows, which can enhance customer satisfaction and reduce loss [2] - Shopper satisfaction for in-store experiences in Europe has risen to 80%, while online satisfaction has decreased to 74% [2][3] Shopper Priorities and Challenges - Shoppers are prioritizing discounts and promotions due to ongoing inflation, with 67% frustrated by out-of-stocks and 72% by locked-up products [3] - Retailers recognize the need for operational excellence, with 85% of European associates reporting challenges in obtaining timely information [4] Technology and Associate Experience - Effective technology is seen as crucial for improving job satisfaction, with 87% of associates believing it makes their work more enjoyable [5] - 88% of European associates feel that the right technology helps them complete tasks faster [5] Inventory Management and Profitability - Inventory challenges continue to affect shopper satisfaction, with over half of shoppers leaving stores without all intended items [6] - 84% of European retail decision-makers prioritize real-time inventory synchronization, with many planning to implement advanced technologies like computer vision and RFID [7] Revenue Growth through Workflow Improvements - Retailers can achieve up to 1.8-percentage-point increases in revenue growth and profitability by improving inventory management workflows [8] - Optimizing inventory processes is seen as a key strategy for boosting profits from online orders, with a jump from 29% to 38% in prioritization [9] Regional Insights - In Europe, 84% of retail decision-makers feel pressure to synchronize real-time inventory, significantly higher than those focused on pricing and promotions [12] - In North America, 80% of retail associates face challenges in maintaining real-time visibility of out-of-stock products [13] - In Latin America, 60% of shoppers reported leaving stores without all intended items, compared to 52% globally [15]