AI for Retail

CHAPTER 23Other AI Use Cases

There are many other use cases that we have not gotten to but that certainly deserve an honorable mention.

Loss Prevention

We already discussed a few ways AI is being used in loss prevention, but I will summarize them here:

• Self‐checkout error detection: Companies such as Everseen are using computer vision to track customers’ behavior at the self‐checkout to detect anomalous behavior and if detected, it will flag the supervisor and prevent theft (see Figure 23.1).
• ORC (organized retail crime) detection, tracking, and prevention: ORC is a growing concern for almost all retailers. This is when professional shoplifters form groups with a plan to steal from retailers. Typically, they will hit many stores within a single day, going store to store to wipe out big‐ticket items or high‐value items that they are able to resell easily. Baby formula, razors, and Red Bull are some of the most common target items as they all have high resale value. Stores will always have deterrents and other ways to try and stop the theft, but the majority of the time, it happens, and they don't find out until days or even weeks later. By then it's already too late, and they don't know who took it or when. After detection, LP (loss prevention) may spend hours pouring over days of video footage, file a police report, and then print a picture and hand it to each store, but there has to be more you can do.

  The first opportunity is instant detection and reporting of shelf‐sweep ...