Mexico’s Retail, Hospitality Sectors Adopt AI to Enhance Security

Mexico’s hospitality and retail sectors have increased the adoption of AI in their security infrastructure, with over 60% of new video surveillance systems now using this technology to mitigate risks and optimize user experience.

This shift responds to the need to transition from reactive security models to preventive strategies capable of managing high mobility density. 

“In a time characterized by high traffic and last-minute purchases, technology becomes an essential ally to ensure safe and fluid experiences. Today we see that the adoption of modern systems can decrease incidents that affect business operations by up to 70%,” says Alejandro Aguirre, National Sales Manager for Mexico and CCA, Axis Communications.

Data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) indicates that insecurity generates annual losses exceeding MX$120 billion (US$6.6 billion) for the private sector. This financial impact has catalyzed investment in tools that allow for event anticipation rather than simple monitoring.

The adoption of network video surveillance, advanced analytics, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and intelligent audio represents a reengineering of physical security protocols. Unlike traditional closed-circuit systems that operate primarily as post-incident forensic mechanisms, new implementations with AI and edge computing allow for real-time data analysis. This capability enables operators of shopping centers, hotels, and tourist destinations to manage foot traffic efficiently, prevent crowds that compromise civil safety, and optimize response times. These measures ensure business continuity during periods of maximum operational stress.

In the retail sector, video analytics has demonstrated tangible efficacy, achieving a reduction of about 22% in losses attributed to theft and shrinkage, says Axis Communications. For the hospitality and tourism industry, the priority centers on maintaining high service standards. Edge analysis integration allows establishments to detect saturated areas instantly, facilitating data-based decisions to redistribute resources and personnel. The capacity of these systems to process information on-site, without depending exclusively on transmission to central servers, streamlines operations and reduces latency in critical decision-making.

Axis Communications projects that the trend toward physical security digitization will remain upward. The convergence of security, operational efficiency, and data analysis establishes the industrial standard necessary to ensure commercial operation stability. These implementations guarantee protected environments and ensure that, during peak traffic times, corporations can operate without the logistical or security disruptions that historically affect the fiscal year-end and holiday season.