A major focus for safe cities, public safety and retailers in recent years has been to explore how technology can solve issues around theft and workplace violence, which can have massive economic and quality of life impacts to cities and residents. The National Retail Federation’s (NRF) 2023 National Retail Security Survey found that shrink accounted for $112 billion in annual losses for US retailers.¹ Addressing danger in the workplace is a global consideration. A recent survey of more than 1,600 retail workers in the UK indicated 41% are now shouted at, spat on, threatened, or hit every week and nearly half (47%) are left feeling unsafe at work.²

Axon is committed to helping improve retail safety and reverse the trend of increasing theft and assaults across the globe. With this in mind, we recently launched the Axon Body Workforce for frontline workers as a step to empower them with the same powerful technology that has been enabling public safety professionals for over a decade. But devices are only part of the equation. Systems and software that connect and help make sense of the large amount of data being generated by connected public safety devices are critical.

In this context, Axon is excited to solidify a partnership with Auror, a pioneer in retail crime intelligence and incident management solutions. Through this partnership and product integrations, Axon and Auror will create an end-to-end solution for retailers to combat crime with the ability for video from Axon body-worn cameras to be exported to incidents and investigations in the Auror Platform, and a full evidence package to be transferred from Auror to Axon Evidence, the leading digital evidence management solution used by law enforcement organizations across the globe.

As we have expanded beyond public safety into retail, we have partnered with industry associations where it became clear that Auror was a best-in-class provider of retail crime, loss prevention and collaborative investigations through its Crime Intelligence Platform.

Axon and Auror are partners on the Retail Industry Leaders Association’s Vibrant Communities Initiative, focused on the best implementations of sensors and data to enable smart workflows from capture to adjudication. Through Vibrant Communities, Axon, Auror, and other industry partners work to enable data sharing between businesses, public safety agencies and the justice system to drive more certain and efficient outcomes.

“Through our partnership with Auror, we’ve seen tangible results to reduce retail crime and we’re excited to further our commitment with the best-in-class retail crime intelligence platform,” said Mike Shore, Axon’s General Manager of Enterprise. “The Auror team’s technology will enhance crime-fighting collaboration between retailers and law enforcement worldwide.”

The partnership will enable Auror and Axon to bridge the gap between retail and law enforcement, fostering collaboration and information sharing to decrease retail crime and create safer cities. Auror’s crime intelligence platform coupled with Axon’s suite of innovative technologies including Fusus’ real-time intelligence ecosystem, will allow retailers to seamlessly connect with law enforcement agencies, streamlining the flow of information between retailers and law enforcement.

“We are excited for these product integrations with Axon to enable even closer connections between retail and law enforcement, and to standardize data and evidence sharing workflows for better community outcomes,” said Phil Thomson, CEO of Auror.

Harnessing the power of data and analytics, Auror and Axon will enable retailers to adopt a proactive approach to crime prevention, fast track investigations, and protect their stores, employees and customers.

Ultimately, the partnership between Auror and Axon represents a significant step forward in the fight against retail crime. As retail crime continues to evolve, collaboration and innovation will be essential in addressing emerging threats and protecting retailers and communities, thereby creating safer cities.