Skip to main content
HOT TOPIC | EuroCIS 2027

Loss Prevention

Recognize risks. Minimize losses. Protect value.

Whether it's theft, fraud, or organizational errors: inventory shrinkage costs retailers billions every year. Modern loss prevention solutions make risks visible before damage occurs. At EuroCIS 2027, trade visitors can experience technologies ranging from video analytics to sensor technology to automated fraud detection. See how leading providers are combining security and analytics into a holistic loss prevention concept.

A black, round surveillance camera with the word “alarm” in light green, displayed at a booth at EuroCIS; copyright: Messe Düsseldorf / A. Wiese

What does loss prevention mean?

Loss prevention has evolved from classic theft protection into a holistic approach. While intentional acts require targeted prevention, unintentional losses can often be reduced through better processes.

The focus today is therefore no longer on individual technologies alone – such as security tags, EAS antennas, and cameras at entrances and exits – but on connecting security technology, data analytics, and process optimization.

The goal is to detect, understand, and sustainably reduce inventory shrinkage early on – whether caused by theft, fraud, or operational errors.

Causes of inventory shrinkage

  • Shoplifting by customers
  • Fraud or scanning errors at self-checkout stations
  • Employee theft
  • Manipulation at the register
  • Operational errors in bookings or returns
  • Gaps in workflows

Losses can have external or internal causes – and can arise both intentionally and unintentionally.

Why is loss prevention more important than ever in 2027?

Cost pressure in retail is rising, and comprehensive monitoring of the sales floor can no longer be achieved through staffing alone. At the same time, self-checkout, self-scanning, and autonomous stores are adding complexity: frictionless customer journeys reduce control points and create new opportunities for loss. On top of that, inflation and economic pressure are raising merchandise values – and with them, the incentive to steal.

€5.11 billion in inventory shrinkage in 2025 in German retail

+3.2% compared to 2024 shrinkage figures

€4.33 billion in losses due to internal and external theft

Source: press release "More theft in retail" (German) from the EHI Retail Institute

Holistic loss prevention concepts combine modern security technologies with analytics solutions. This makes it possible to detect risks early, address causes in a targeted way, and sustainably reduce losses – without complicating the customer journey.

Loss prevention solutions at EuroCIS 2027

From goods receiving to checkout, EuroCIS 2027 showcases technologies that prevent losses right where they occur. Individual measures alone aren't enough to sustainably reduce inventory shrinkage. That's why security, data analytics, and process design are increasingly converging into one continuous loss prevention concept. You'll find solutions and expert guidance on this topic among EuroCIS exhibitors.

A shield as a white icon on a pink background

Capturing inventory precisely

RFID solutions and smart cameras provide continuously updated stock data, while inventory robotics record merchandise automatically and in real time. This creates transparency around actual product availability and uncovers discrepancies early.

A shield as a white icon on a pink background

Reducing theft

Electronic article surveillance and security tags protect merchandise right at the shelf, while video surveillance and computer vision detect suspicious behavior in real time – stopping theft before it happens.

A shield as a white icon on a pink background

Detecting fraud

Fraud-and-loss-prevention analytics identify typical fraud patterns, for instance at self-checkout stations, and automatically raise the alarm when anomalies occur. This makes it possible to catch manipulation before it leads to bigger losses.

A shield as a white icon on a pink background

Understanding causes

Auditing, controlling, and the systematic analysis of inventory shrinkage reveal where and why losses occur – providing the basis for targeted countermeasures instead of just treating symptoms.

A shield as a white icon on a pink background

Improving processes

Based on the insights gained, internal workflows can be adjusted, training can be targeted more precisely, and organizational weaknesses can be fixed before they lead to recurring losses.

A shield as a white icon on a pink background

Connecting security

IoT solutions and sensor technology link individual security components into one continuous system, bringing together data from video surveillance, merchandise protection, and analytics for a more complete overall picture.

Self-checkout register with an integrated camera for monitoring items and scanning processes, plus additional screens that display the camera feed; copyright: Messe Düsseldorf / A. Wiese

Experience loss prevention at EuroCIS 2027

Discover technologies, providers, and real-world examples

EuroCIS brings together technology providers, retail companies, start-ups, and decision-makers from the international retail technology industry. For trade visitors, the Loss Prevention hot topic offers the chance to explore solutions not just in theory, but in direct market comparison.

Gain
a market overview

Compare providers, tools, and approaches to loss prevention – all in one place.

Exlore
real-world applications

See live demos of loss prevention technologies and learn more about holistic concepts.

Make
valuable connections

Meet technology providers, industry experts, and retail decision-makers in person in Düsseldorf.

Show what's shaping the future of retail!

Become an exhibitor now ❯

Further expert insights on loss prevention

How do retailers prevent losses along the supply chain? Which solutions and processes work together? And what role does AI play? For deeper insights into new technologies, current trends, real-world examples, and analysis from the retail technology industry, visit EuroShop.mag.

More on retail technology at EuroShop.mag
Automated checkout system with illuminated access gates and a blurred figure pushing a shopping cart through the gate

Loss prevention in retail

A hand holds a yellow bell pepper over the red laser scanner of a self-checkout kiosk, while a camera and display capture the scanning process.

AI product recognition in self-checkout
A screen displays several black-and-white images of a supermarket from a surveillance perspective; Copyright: Adobe Express

Loss prevention in retail
A hand holds a gold credit card over a laptop keyboard, while warning symbols indicating fraud float in the air; Copyright: Adobe Express

How machine learning powers real-time fraud detection in payments

Frequently Asked Questions about Loss Prevention

How can digital tools relieve the burden on in-store staff? And which solutions can visitors discover at EuroCIS? Here you'll find answers to key questions about loss prevention.

What does loss prevention mean in retail?
Loss prevention refers to all measures retailers use to detect and reduce inventory shrinkage – that is, unexplained stock losses. Causes can be external, such as shoplifting or fraud, or internal, such as employee theft or organizational errors. Modern loss prevention combines security technology with data analytics and process optimization, rather than relying solely on traditional theft protection.
How does loss prevention relate to self-checkout and self-scanning?
Frictionless payment processes like self-checkout or self-scanning reduce traditional control points, creating new opportunities for loss. This is precisely where fraud-and-loss-prevention analytics and computer vision solutions come in: they detect anomalies automatically and in real time, without slowing down the checkout process for customers.
Who should care about loss prevention?
Loss prevention is relevant for any company that manages goods in stores or warehouses and wants to protect them from loss – from chain retailers to department stores to wholesalers. The topic is especially relevant for store and branch managers, security officers, and auditing and controlling departments looking to systematically reduce inventory shrinkage and improve processes around merchandise loss.
What loss prevention solutions can visitors discover at EuroCIS 2027?

EuroCIS showcases solutions along the entire process chain – from inventory management to merchandise security to in-store analytics. These include electronic article surveillance and security tags for shelf-level protection, video surveillance and computer vision for real-time detection of suspicious behavior, and fraud-and-loss-prevention analytics, that identify fraud patterns, for instance at self-checkout stations.

The offering is rounded out by RFID solutions, smart cameras and inventory robotics for precise stock data, as well as IoT solutions and sensor technology, that connect individual security components into a networked overall system.

Why is a visit to EuroCIS 2027 worthwhile for loss prevention projects?
EuroCIS brings leading providers of security technology, analytics solutions, and automation technology together in one place. Visitors get a comprehensive market overview and can compare different approaches side by side. Talks, use cases, and field reports on the stages also provide concrete insights into this highly topical subject. Speakers from the retail industry present examples of how they've already successfully reduced inventory shrinkage. The offering is rounded out by networking opportunities with providers and industry insiders.
When and where does EuroCIS 2027 take place?

EuroCIS 2027 takes place from February 16 to 18, 2027, at the Düsseldorf Trade Fair Center (Stockumer Kirchstrasse 61, 40474 Düsseldorf). Visitor hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Stay in the loop

Retail technology, trends, and insights in the EuroCIS newsletter

Find out with us about the new concepts emerging around loss prevention. Subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates on EuroCIS 2027, the Loss Prevention hot topic, and the latest technologies and use cases from the retail industry.

Subscribe to the newsletter now ❯

More EuroCIS 2027 hot topics

Loss prevention is one of several themes shaping the future of retail. Discover more EuroCIS 2027 hot topics and find out which technologies and developments are moving the retail technology industry.

Discover all EuroCIS 2027 hot topics
AI & Data-Driven Retail
Employee Empowerment
Future Checkout
Future Payment
Retail Media
Return to top