What does "customer profiling" refer to in retail security?

Customer profiling in retail security specifically involves identifying potential shoplifters through behavior analysis. This process includes observing and noting patterns in customer behavior that may be indicative of suspicious activities or intent to steal. Security personnel are trained to look for certain behaviors, such as excessive monitoring of staff movements, lingering in areas without purchasing, or exhibiting nervousness.

By focusing on behavioral indicators, security teams can proactively prevent theft and ensure a safer shopping environment. In contrast to options such as assessing customer satisfaction levels or understanding market trends, which focus on customer experience and business strategy, customer profiling is exclusively concerned with identifying and mitigating security threats. Evaluating demographics also serves a different purpose within retail strategy and marketing, rather than specifically targeting security risk assessment.