Sponsored by Hanwha Vision
Shrink, theft, and losses are a stark reality in retail—particularly in c-stores. While eliminating them entirely isn’t realistic, there are steps c-store operators can take to protect themselves, their employees, customers, and profits. Stores with more visible security measures tend to have higher profits, as safety is a top priority for shoppers. What attracts paying customers often simultaneously deters theft and crime.
Hanwha Vision, a leading provider of video surveillance solutions for the retail industry, has outlined six ways in which operators can make security more effective and easier.
1. Light It Up
Most operators inherently understand the effect lighting has on foot traffic and overall safety. Well lit, thoughtfully designed exteriors are shown to reduce crime and encourage higher foot traffic. Hanwha Vision recommends combining strong lighting with smart surveillance systems. Its T Series wall mount cameras offer panoramic 180-degree views, while its Q Series fixed cameras deliver clear, long-range imagery perfect for covering the outer edges of a property. Combined, these tools help eliminate blind spots and detect potential threats early with built-in AI that can identify suspicious movement, vehicles, or even obscured faces.
2. Covering Entry and Exit
One of the most lucrative aspects of c-stores is the low-staffing options; however, this creates security challenges. Visibility at entry and exits is critical, especially during off-peak hours. Hanwha Vision’s discreet entrance cameras and public viewing monitors serve a dual purpose: they help customers feel safer while deterring theft. The brand’s P and Q Series dual-light cameras are particularly effective. They automatically switch between infrared and soft white light depending on conditions, creating a safer, brighter space that deters loitering and reduces energy waste.
3. No More Blind Corners
Shrink and theft cost U.S. retailers about 1.6 percent of annual sales, according to the National Retail Federation. Multiplied across tens or even hundreds of locations, this loss can seriously hurt profitability. Hanwha Vision’s fisheye, dome, and micro-PTZ cameras help stores cover every angle discreetly, from aisles to checkout counters. AI-powered tools can flag suspicious activity, alert staff when lines grow too long, and even track customer traffic patterns to improve service. Security today translates to benefits in efficiency, protection, deterrence, and insurance after criminal activity. This also means who operators choose to partner with is more critical than ever.
4. At the Pump
From potential gas theft and payment fraud to safety concerns, it’s a hotspot for both risk and customer frustration. Hanwha Vision’s multi-sensor AI fisheye and Q Series bullet cameras provide crystal-clear views of every pump, capturing license plates and identifying vehicles as they come and go. Pairing these with IP audio systems allows attendants to assist customers in real time—like when a digital payment hiccup occurs—without anyone having to leave their car. It’s a simple upgrade that boosts safety, convenience, and customer satisfaction simultaneously.
5. Multi-Store Visibility
For multi-location operators, managing security across several sites can feel like a logistical maze. Hanwha Vision simplifies it. Its cameras integrate seamlessly with popular video management systems (VMS) like Milestone and Genetec, and, of course, its own Hanwha Wisenet VMS.
This enables seamless integration for AI analytics and remote monitoring capabilities, allowing security professionals or business owners to oversee multiple locations on one convenient dashboard and trigger rapid responses from anywhere, whether onsite or at remote locations.
Operators can also roll out AI-powered upgrades across their network without expensive system overhauls, keeping every store connected and protected.
6. Taking Control of Time
Beyond security, compliance is another time sink for operators—especially when juggling regulations around worker safety, fuel handling, and food storage. Hanwha Vision’s AI-driven systems automate much of the reporting process, creating digital logs and visual records that simplify audits and inspections. By turning surveillance into a source of actionable data, these tools help operators save time, reduce risk, and focus more on what matters: growing their business and serving their communities.
With integrated lighting, smart cameras, and AI-driven analytics, convenience store and gas station operators can transform surveillance from a reactive necessity into a powerful tool for growth. Hanwha Vision’s technology shows that better visibility isn’t just about preventing loss—it’s about building trust, safety, and a stronger customer experience.
Visit Hanwha Vision’s website for more insights into comprehensive security tools.
