Almacenes El Rey is a rapidly expanding department store, with 18 branches nationwide and more than one million customers each year. Thanks to the Avigilon Unity Video solution, the retail chain achieved a substantial decrease in organized crime in commerce.
With the retail business growing rapidly, the retail chain identified that the video security operation required a digital transformation to keep pace with its expansion and ensure the protection of both people and assets. In this way, the security team began looking for an effective way to deter potential threats and promptly investigate any incidents that arose.
Background: Analog Video Security
Almacenes El Rey began to notice limitations in its video security system based on analog technology as the business expanded. Lacking the capabilities that a modern video solution provides, normal day-to-day operations were becoming a challenge.
The retail store's outdated analog cameras didn't have the technology to detect potential threats, forcing security operators to manually view live video feeds during all their shifts. This reliance on constant human observation created a high risk of operator burnout and a higher likelihood of critical incidents going undetected due to human error.
To mitigate these issues, the network decided to implement a new video security solution better equipped to handle the demands of today's security challenges and improve overall security.
Organized crime in retail
A common challenge for many retail stores, including Almacenes El Rey, is the rise of organized crime in commerce (ORC). Security teams began to face this challenge as the number of individuals and groups dedicated to robbing and damaging stores and their products grew.
Because the video security system did not have AI video analytics capabilities, security teams had to manually identify the thieves and determine if they were repeat offenders or if they were already banned from entering the store. This process was time-consuming and resource-intensive, resulting in inefficient security operations.
Almacenes El Rey identified the need for AI video analytics technology that would allow its security teams to quickly detect and verify known criminals.
Solutions
Almacenes El Rey chose Motorola Solutions ' Avigilon Unity on-premise suite to meet its need for an AI-powered video security system. Avigilon Unity is a fully integrated and scalable physical security suite that includes cameras, video management software (VMS), video analytics, video infrastructure, access control, and more.
"We selected Avigilon from Motorola Solutions because of the robustness of its technology, its robust cybersecurity measures, and the constant technological updates and support that give us peace of mind," says Edwin Barrientos Reyes, Technology and Digital Transformation Manager at Almacenes El Rey.
In all its stores, the retail chain implemented the following technologies:
- Avigilon Unity Video VMS.
- More than 1,100 dome, bullet, dual head, fisheye, multi-sensor and PTZ cameras.
- AI-powered video analytics.
- Network video recorders.
- Avigilon Unity Cloud Services.
Fraud reduction
The retail chain has experienced a significant decrease in organized crime in its stores after installing the Unity Video solution, including a reduction in fraud. "With Avigilon's video security, prevention has improved, helping us reduce incidents by 18%," says Barrientos Reyes.
With Avigilon's AI-powered cameras, Almacenes El Rey has strengthened its ability to help protect stores from repeat offenders. The system uses face watch lists and license plate recognition to identify individuals and vehicles required by Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ). When a match is detected, the Unity Video VMS generates real-time alerts, allowing security teams to respond immediately and take decisive action.
In one example, Avigilon cameras detected a criminal group on the store's roof, sending alerts to the security team to respond quickly and eliminate the threat.
Improved security at locations
Staff safety has been enhanced by the installation of Avigilon cameras at cash registers, hallways, and near entrances and exits. These cameras allow security teams to detect potential risks to the safety of staff, such as unhappy customers or hazards on the sales floor. This way, teams can eliminate the threat before an incident occurs or the situation escalates.
Cameras at cash registers also help resolve customer complaints. The crisp video captured allows management to see what happened and decide if the complaint is valid and warrants further action.
Some Almacenes El Rey facilities are located near rivers, which could put them at risk of flooding. To monitor water levels remotely and help ensure safety, management and security personnel regularly review river levels using Avigilon cameras through Unity Video VMS and Unity Cloud Services.
Conclusion
Avigilon Unity Video has helped transform Almacenes El Rey's security operations. By moving from an outdated analog system to an AI-powered video security solution, the retail chain can combat organized crime and improve security in stores.
Looking ahead, Almacenes El Rey plans to add 300 more Avigilon cameras within the next two years, with the goal of reaching a total of 1,500 devices in three years. The company also plans to leverage Avigilon's AI video analytics to extract data on customer behavior, which will help optimize store distribution and strengthen its business strategy.
