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A new wave of AI security tech is quietly revolutionizing the way stores combat theft by watching how you move. Paris-based startup Veesion has developed a gesture recognition algorithm that flags shoplifting behaviors without tracking your appearance or identity.

 The technology is being used in 5,000 stores across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. It helps retailers cut their losses without disrupting the shopping experience.

Preventing Theft with AI That “Watches” Movement

Veesion's system integrates with a store’s existing security camera network and uses AI to analyze body movements over time.

When it detects suspicious gestures—such as hiding items or quickly placing merchandise in bags—it flags the footage and sends a clip to store staff for further review.

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"The algorithm doesn't care about what people look like. It just cares about how your body parts move over time," said cofounder Benoît Koenig in an interview with Business Insider.

Koenig, whose uncle owns supermarkets in Paris, understands the retail pain points firsthand. Veesion’s approach focuses on preventing theft before it happens, rather than relying solely on punitive measures.

Results and Expansion

• One U.S. store using the tech cut losses from its health and beauty section by half in just three months.
• The system has an 85% accuracy rate, with most alerts deemed relevant by retail security teams.
• Veesion recently raised $43 million in Series B funding to expand its U.S. operations.

“It’s not glamorous, but the ROI is quite direct. You're going to arrest shoplifters, recover inventory, and save money,” Koenig said.

This AI security tech has the potential to reduce not just shoplifting, but also employee theft, which, according to the National Retail Federation, can cost retailers as much as theft by customers.

Customer-Friendly Ai Security Tech

Retailers like Walmart and Target have increasingly turned to AI to prevent inventory shrinkage, often locking up products or limiting self-checkout. However, these methods have also frustrated customers and hurt sales.

"Retailers have implemented a number of security measures—many to the detriment of the shopping experience," the NRF said in its latest crime report.

Veesion's system, on the other hand, works behind the scenes and enables real-time intervention without degrading the shopping experience.

Beyond Shoplifting: Broader Use Cases

While retail theft is Veesion’s main focus, the technology has broader potential. Koenig mentioned that the AI can also detect:

• Improper scans at self-checkout
• Slip-and-fall incidents
• Internal theft behavior

The goal, he says, is not just about recovering a few stolen items but deterring future incidents and creating a safer, more efficient retail environment.