Sensormatic Solutions has launched a new AI-based system that helps retailers understand how shoppers move and behave inside stores. The technology is aimed at improving staffing, merchandising, and store performance, with clear relevance for supermarkets.
The announcement was made in the United States and is linked to demonstrations planned at the 2026 NRF Big Show in New York.
The system combines Orbit AI overhead sensors and Video AI cameras. Together, they track store traffic, shopper movement, and time spent in different areas. The data is processed through ShopperTrak Analytics, giving retailers near real-time insights into what is happening on the shop floor.
Sensormatic says the technology is designed to exclude staff and non-shopper traffic. It does not use personal identifiable information. This is important for food retailers operating under strict privacy expectations.
For supermarkets, the main benefit is operational control. The system can show when stores are busiest, which aisles attract the most attention, and where shoppers slow down. Retailers can then adjust staffing levels, improve checkout coverage, and refine promotional layouts.
The technology also supports better use of space. By showing which zones perform well and which are ignored, supermarkets can make changes to end caps, fresh areas, and seasonal displays without relying only on sales data.
LIDS, a US-based retailer, is already using the technology. The company says it now has a clearer picture of shopper movement and can make faster decisions in-store. While LIDS operates outside grocery, the use case reflects how similar tools are being tested across Retail Technology in US Grocery as supermarkets look for tighter control of labour and margins.
Sensormatic is part of Johnson Controls, a US-listed company. Its solutions are already used widely in grocery for loss prevention and footfall counting. This update adds a more advanced analytics layer to existing systems rather than replacing them.
The company will showcase the technology at booth #5321 during the NRF Big Show from January 11–13, 2026.
Why It Matters
Supermarkets face constant pressure on labour costs and store efficiency. Small improvements in staffing accuracy or layout performance can have a direct impact on profitability.
AI-based store analytics are not about changing how people shop for food. Instead, they help operators run stores more precisely, especially during peak hours and promotional periods.
For large grocery chains, this kind of technology is becoming part of standard store management rather than an experimental tool.
Editor’s note: This announcement is based on information provided by Sensormatic Solutions and reflects a US-led rollout. While the technology is marketed globally, its immediate relevance is strongest for large-format supermarkets and grocery chains already using in-store analytics systems.
