Covid-19 SOLUTIONS
How IP audio can help retailers manage store occupancy as lockdown lifts Axis Communications discusses the role of network audio technology in modern retail, and the benefits to staff and customers of accurate occupancy management.
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he retail industry is beginning to re-open its collective doors as we emerge from Covid-19 lockdown. It has been a time of great anxiety, with many retail businesses struggling even before the pandemic. Every minute of retail downtime has represented a loss of revenue, and after many weeks of closure businesses are now urgently looking for ways to generate maximum ROI. As pressure mounts and businesses prepare to begin trading again, the retail industry must be able to demonstrate that it can adhere to the stringent guidelines laid down by government. Among the many measures set out by the UK Prime Minister recently to protect retail staff and customers, stores will be under increased pressure to enforce two metre customer distancing; the required safe zone to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 infection. This will involve closely managing store occupancy levels, the setting of appropriate maximum limits according to the size of premises and recording how many customers are inside at any one time. With much to think about, retailers might look to technology to assist in capturing this information and providing additional solutions to enable them to provide a high level of service while keeping customers safe.
recorded or real-time messaging that can also issue alerts in the event of customers failing to comply with regulations. For those with visual impairment, or where English is not a first language, IP audio can also be helpful as part of a wider range of measures to improve situational awareness, thereby improving customer confidence and safety. Queuing outside can be a source of anxiety. Speakers placed here can be used to inform customers of what to expect when inside the store, such as any requirement to wear protective masks, recommendations to disinfect trolley handles, and the importance of regular hand washing with soap or hand sanitiser. With such a system in place to aid customer understanding and encourage appropriate behaviours, staff and management are able to focus their attention on operational duties. This is particularly important in the current climate where there are very small margins for communication error and high costs to deliver it manually.
Public address systems to help safer social distancing
Managing occupancy for a smarter operation
The use of IP (digital) speakers, when combined with existing in-store surveillance cameras, can provide a comprehensive and easy-fit solution. Public announcement capabilities keep customers informed of social distancing protocols with pre-
Surveillance cameras and sensors, combined with analytics, at entrance and exit points can be used to capture the number of customers in store at any one time. The retailer sets an occupancy threshold which is relevant to the size and
Security Focus africa June 2020
layout of their stores and allows enough space for customers to maintain distancing. The process monitors everyone arriving and leaving to ensure that the optimum figure remains consistent. Data about occupancy can be collated from store to store and used to evidence due diligence in relation to social distancing regulations being followed and take undue pressure off the store management team. Network audio speakers, capable of broadcasting to single or multiple zones, can also then be added to a system as part of a broader process designed to detect when grouping occurs or potential ‘bottle necks’ in real time; a consistent prerecorded message to remind customers of their duty to remain distant from each other can then be played. The same solution could also alert the team to open additional check outs to ease congestion and also provide daily customer flow data to aid decision making about resource allocation.
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