#Canada #Ottawa #AI in Retail #Video Intelligence #Solink

A New Era of Retail with AI

In a groundbreaking announcement, Solink, a recognized leader in AI-driven video intelligence, has unveiled its latest research titled The State of AI in Retail. This research highlights the accelerating adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) within retail operations and how it's transforming various aspects such as loss prevention, workforce efficiency, and the overall customer experience. Scheduled to coincide with the NRF 2026 Retail's Big Show, Solink's findings come at a pivotal moment as retailers across North America embrace AI technology.

Michael Scott, the Chief Marketing Officer of Solink, emphasized that AI has transitioned from a novel experiment to a foundational component of retail operations. "The data is clear: AI is no longer experimental in retail, it's foundational," Scott stated. This transition is evidenced by the report, which indicates that a staggering 80% of retailers are now budgeting for AI technologies, with 86% planning to boost their investments over the next year.

The Tipping Point for AI Adoption

The report draws insights from a survey conducted with 150 retail decision-makers from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It reveals a sector rapidly moving towards full-scale AI utilization. Notably, 65% of respondents are now actively employing generative AI technologies, nearly doubling the prevalence compared to previous years. The upsurge in investment is particularly concentrated in addressing significant challenges faced by retailers such as labor shortages, theft, and the complexities of modern operations.

The survey also elucidates that retailers of all sizes prioritize operational efficiency, labor cost reduction, and enhanced customer experiences as the three primary driving forces behind their AI adoption strategies. Mid-sized retailers have demonstrated impressive momentum, with all surveyed retailers of this size expressing intentions to increase their focus on labor optimization. Additionally, nearly half of these retailers reported a high level of confidence in scaling AI solutions throughout their businesses. On the other hand, larger retail entities acknowledge the necessity of budget commitment while citing challenges related to governance and the need for in-house expertise.

Expanding AI Across Retail Functions

AI's integration is spreading across four core retail disciplines: Asset Protection, Operations, IT, and Physical Security. Each of these sectors is leveraging AI to tackle sector-specific challenges effectively. For instance, Asset Protection teams now use AI to detect fraud trends and identify discrepancies in transactions, while Operations teams capitalize on AI to enhance demand forecasting and labor allocation. The IT departments apply AI to automate system health monitoring, ensuring that the technological infrastructure remains stable, and Physical Security teams utilize AI insights to boost situational awareness and response times, thereby creating safer environments.

Despite these advancements, the report highlights a vital challenge: AI fragmentation. This occurs when different teams within an organization adopt AI in isolation, lacking a unified platform or shared data models. This scenario presents a unique opportunity for retailers to streamline their toolsets and modernize their technology ecosystems to enhance efficiency.

Vision Intelligence: A Significant Shift in the Industry

One of the most astonishing insights from the report is the industry-wide movement from traditional surveillance methods to an innovative approach known as vision intelligence. This methodology involves transforming video from a mere reactive security asset into a dynamic, real-time operational dataset. Retailers are increasingly utilizing video intelligence to improve staffing, validate transactions, uphold compliance, accelerate investigations, and enrich both employee and customer experiences. Such advancements are essential for mid-sized and enterprise retailers grappling with shrinkage, organized retail crime (ORC), and heightened operational complexities.

The full findings of the State of AI in Retail report can be accessed here. Furthermore, Solink is set to present its findings and launch new AI-powered vision intelligence capabilities at NRF 2026, Booth #4066.

About Solink

Solink stands at the forefront of AI-driven video intelligence, specializing in security, loss prevention, and operational enhancements. By synergizing video, data, and operational systems into a singular platform, Solink enables organizations to detect and validate risks, inefficiencies, and critical issues in real time. With the help of AI-powered insights and automated processes, Solink empowers teams to improve safety, minimize losses, and heighten performance across all locations. To learn more, visit www.solink.com.