Ever wandered into a store and wondered whether someone’s always watching you through those overhead cameras? You’re not imagining it. Shoplifting has become a major problem. In 2024 alone, U.S. retailers lost an estimated $45 billion to retail theft, with losses expected to hit $53 billion by 2027. That’s why security cameras are an absolute necessity for all stores.
But how often do stores check their cameras, really? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. Most don’t monitor footage 24/7, but they do review it when incidents happen. In this guide, you’ll get clear answers on how frequently stores review footage, why they do it, how long it’s stored, and what types of systems they use to keep tabs on things.
Do Stores Check Cameras Frequently?
It’s easy to imagine security staff glued to screens all day, watching every move. But in reality, most stores don’t monitor cameras continuously. Instead, footage is usually reviewed in scheduled intervals—often every 24 to 48 hours, depending on the store’s size and risk level.
Big retailers like Walmart have dedicated loss prevention teams that remotely monitor video feeds across multiple stores. Their focus tends to be on self-checkout lanes and high-risk departments like electronics, cosmetics, and liquor. Even then, live monitoring is typically done in short bursts, rotating through different camera angles every few minutes rather than watching everything all the time.
Smaller stores, on the other hand, often don’t have the staff or budget for active monitoring. Instead, they take a reactive approach—checking footage only after something happens, like a theft, customer dispute, or inventory issue.
Technology is helping bridge the gap. Many stores now rely on AI-powered systems that flag suspicious behavior, like unscanned items at checkout or unusual movement patterns. These systems send real-time alerts, prompting staff to check specific footage right away. So, while humans might not be watching every second, the cameras are always “on,” and smart software is doing most of the heavy lifting.
How Often Do Stores Actually Review Footage?
So how often do stores go back and watch past recordings? The short answer: when something happens. Most surveillance footage gets reviewed only after an incident, whether it’s a theft, a customer complaint, or an employee issue. That’s when store managers or loss prevention teams dig into the recordings to investigate.
But not all reviews are reactive. Many retailers also perform routine audits, including:
- Daily self-checkout checks, where managers compare video with transaction logs to make sure all items were scanned.
- Weekly or monthly compliance reviews to ensure employees are following store policies, like age verification for alcohol or proper cash handling.
- Quarterly “shrink audits”, where analysts cross-reference inventory loss with recorded footage to identify patterns.
When Do Stores Check Cameras?
Stores typically check surveillance footage at specific moments, rather than on a constant loop. Here are the most common reasons:
- Suspected theft or fraud: If an employee or loss prevention team notices suspicious behavior, like someone hiding merchandise or skipping scans at self-checkout, they’ll immediately pull up footage to confirm. Some stores even use AI systems to flag these actions in real time.
- Inventory loss: When a store’s stock numbers don’t add up—often called shrink—loss prevention teams will review video to identify potential causes, like internal theft, receiving errors, or items being stolen off shelves.
- Unauthorized access: Security footage is typically reviewed right away if there’s an alarm trigger or signs of unauthorized entry during off-hours. Most stores use motion-activated cameras near entrances, exits, and restricted areas to capture any unexpected movement. This helps identify intruders, potential burglars, or vandals attempting to access stockrooms, offices, or exterior areas after closing.
- Customer or employee incidents: If someone slips and falls, reports harassment, or there’s a disagreement at the register, managers will check the video to verify what happened. In many cases, this footage is also used for insurance or legal purposes.
- Police requests: Law enforcement may ask for video as part of an investigation, which requires the store to quickly locate and download specific clips.
- Routine compliance audits: Beyond incidents, many companies perform routine audits for employee conduct and compliance, especially for transactions involving age-restricted items, refunds, or cash handling.
How Long Do Stores Keep Security Footage?
The amount of time a store keeps its security footage depends on several key factors: the type of surveillance system, available storage capacity, company policy, and whether a specific incident requires footage to be preserved.
For most retailers, security footage is stored for 30 to 90 days. This retention window typically covers day-to-day business needs such as reviewing incidents, investigating customer complaints, resolving employee disputes, responding to police requests.
Smaller or independent stores using older DVR systems or limited digital storage might only retain footage for 7 to 30 days. On the other hand, larger chains equipped with cloud-based systems or high-capacity NVR camera systems can store video for several months, especially in high-risk areas like electronics, liquor sections, or self-checkout zones.
How long do stores keep shoplifting records?
When an incident occurs, the related video footage is usually kept much longer than regular recordings. Clips tied to theft, accidents, or other incidents are often archived separately and may be stored for anywhere from 1 to 5 years, depending on whether legal claims, investigations, or internal reports are involved.
For example, if you’re wondering, how long does Walmart keep shoplifting records, it’s likely that footage related to an apprehended shoplifter could be stored for several years or more, particularly if charges are filed or police were involved.
What about legal requirements?
Some industries do face legal retention requirements:
- Casinos are typically required to keep routine footage for at least 7 days, and incident-related clips for 60 days or longer.
- Cannabis dispensaries often face stricter guidelines—some cities, like Pasadena, California, require at least 90 days of footage retention.
- PCI-compliant businesses handling cardholder data may be required to retain video in sensitive areas for at least 90 days, especially around point-of-sale terminals.
Camera Systems Recommended for Retail Stores
More and more modern retailers are switching to Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) camera systems paired with Network Video Recorders (NVRs), and for good reason. With PoE, a single Ethernet cable powers the camera and transmits video, making installation far easier and cleaner than older CCTV setups. Plus, NVRs are built for digital footage, allowing higher resolutions, smarter AI features, and better long-term storage than traditional DVRs.
If you’re looking for a security upgrade that offers clarity, smart detection, and ease of use, these two eufy PoE camera systems are solid choices for retail environments.
eufy PoE NVR Security System S4 Max
This eufy PoE NVR Security System S4 Max includes an 8-channel NVR with 2 TB of built-in storage (expandable up to 16 TB) and four powerful 16MP eufy S4 cameras. Each S4 camera uses a triple-lens setup—a fixed 4K wide-angle bullet lens up top and dual 2K PTZ cameras below. Together, they deliver a 122° wide view, 360° panning, and 8× hybrid zoom, capturing both full-scene context and sharp close-ups.
The cameras work with on-device AI to detect and track people, cars, and pets. Thanks to Auto-Frame technology, the camera can lock onto a moving subject up to 164 feet away and keep them centered as they move. With Live AI Cross-Cam Tracking, cameras work together seamlessly. When one reaches its viewing limit, another picks up the action.
Nighttime coverage is top-tier, with night vision across three modes: starlight and spotlight-assisted color night vision, and crisp infrared. There’s also two-way audio, red/blue warning lights, and IP65-rated weather protection, making this system ideal for both indoor and outdoor store areas.
The NVR itself includes a local AI agent with an 8-core processor and 6T computing power, delivering fast, accurate analysis without cloud dependency. You can search video by keyword, set custom motion zones, and expand your setup to 16 channels over time.
What’s good:
- 16MP triple-lens cameras with PTZ + fixed lens for full coverage
- AI auto-tracking and zoom up to 164 ft
- Real-time cross-camera tracking for uninterrupted monitoring
- 2 TB storage (expandable to 16 TB) and 16-channel NVR scalability
- Color night vision, warning lights, and two-way audio
- Plug-and-play PoE setup, weather-resistant for outdoor use
eufy PoE NVR Security System S4
This eufy PoE NVR Security System S4 features the same S4 NVR with 2 TB of storage and AI capabilities, but comes with a more affordable, hybrid camera setup: two S4 triple-lens PTZ cameras and two 4K eufy E40 bullet cameras. This combo makes it a great choice for stores that want powerful tracking in key areas, like entrances or electronics, while covering other zones with high-resolution fixed cameras.
The 16MP S4 cameras in this bundle offer all the same features as those in the S4 Max—360° panning, 8× zoom, Auto-Frame, and AI cross-cam tracking. Meanwhile, the E40 bullet cams provide 4K clarity, a wide 122° field of view, and color night vision in a more fixed form. They’re also IP67 weather-rated, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
This system is perfect for businesses that want smart surveillance without going fully PTZ in every corner. And just like the S4 Max, you can expand this NVR to 16 channels if your store grows or your security needs change.
What’s good:
- Mix of PTZ and fixed 4K bullet cameras for flexible coverage
- Powerful AI NVR with 8-core chip and smart video search
- IP67 weatherproofing on E40 cams for indoor/outdoor reliability
- Color night vision and customizable detection zones
- Plug-and-play PoE for simple installation and clean setup
- Expandable up to 16 channels and 16TB storage
Conclusion
So, how often do stores check their cameras? The truth is, it depends on the store’s size, technology, and what’s happening on the floor. Most stores don’t monitor footage constantly, but they do check it regularly—especially when there’s an incident. With the rise of AI-powered systems and smarter NVR setups, modern surveillance is more effective, automated, and responsive than ever. Whether you’re a retailer or a curious shopper, understanding how and when cameras are used gives you a clearer view of what’s happening behind the scenes.
FAQ
How often do companies check security cameras?
It depends on the size and resources. Larger retailers may audit video every 24–48 hours or even monitor live feeds in high-risk areas like self-checkouts, while smaller shops usually review footage only when needed, such as after a theft or incident.
Do stores actually keep track of shoplifters?
Yes, especially larger retailers. Many stores log footage of shoplifting incidents and store it separately for months or even years. They may also work with law enforcement or use facial recognition to identify repeat offenders.
How long do stores keep camera footage?
Camera footage is usually retained in stores between 30-90 days, depending on the size of the store, the storage capacity, and local laws. Smaller companies might only keep the footage a few days, whereas large chains might keep it a few months. For example, if you’re asking, how long does Walmart keep security footage, it’s known to keep surveillance video for a minimum of 30 days.
Do stores review camera footage?
Yes, but not constantly. Footage is reviewed reactively after incidents like thefts, customer disputes, or accidents. Some large stores also conduct routine security audits weekly or monthly.
Does Walmart have cameras in every aisle?
Yes, Walmart stores typically have security cameras covering most, if not all, aisles. While exact coverage can vary by location, the goal is full visibility for safety matters and loss prevention. Now, many of these cameras are supported by AI technology that monitors for suspicious behavior and alerts staff when necessary, helping Walmart respond quickly to potential issues.