The Reality of Retail Crime in 2026

Organized Retail Crime (ORC) has evolved. It is no longer just teenagers stealing candy. It is now driven by sophisticated networks that cost U.S. retailers over $47.8 billion in 2025.

Even more alarming, violence during these theft events surged by 17%, making physical intervention increasingly dangerous and costly.

To fight back, retailers are investing billions in Active Security technologies— facial recognition blacklists, license plate recognition, and real-time AI alerts.

The “Empty Chair” Problem

You can deploy the most advanced AI blacklist in the world. But if a Shoplifter Alert is triggered and the security desk is unmanned, the theft still happens.

This is the “Empty Chair” problem.

In 2024, 46% of retailers increased their spending on third-party security guards. Yet managing these remote, contracted teams remains a major operational blind spot.

The result? You are paying for protection you are not consistently receiving.

Vizenta’s “Double-Check” Strategy

Vizenta AI believes that Security Technology and Staff Accountability must work together. Our platform doesn’t just watch the door — it watches the watcher.

Active Offender Detection

Vizenta Shield instantly identifies known offenders from your internal blacklist or ORC databases the moment they enter the store, enabling pre-emptive intervention.

Guard Presence Verification

At the same time, the system monitors designated Security Zones. If a guard is missing from their post during operating hours, alerts are escalated immediately to the Regional Security Director.

Why “Active Intervention” Matters

Passive recording is obsolete. Storing terabytes of video only helps after the merchandise is gone.

To stop the $112 billion annual bleed from retail shrinkage, real-time alerts must reach a human who is actually present and ready to act.