Not long ago, people counting was something only the large chains or flagship stores could afford. However, modern devices have made the technology more accessible, and independent retailers, boutiques, and small shops can now leverage it without needing IT support or a server farm.
But what retail people counter should you use for your retail store? In this guide, we’ll look at the various systems, from Infrared to radar and video cameras. Although all offer accurate results, there are some trade-offs you should keep in mind.
Infrared Counters
Infrared (IR) people counters are the most common in retail stores. They are mounted on doorways at chest level with a transmitter sending an IR beam to a receiver on the opposite side. When visitors cross the entrance, they interrupt the beam, and the sensor registers that as a count.
One of the main appeals of the IR counters is their ease of installation. They work wirelessly, so you don’t need cabling, and they use long-life batteries that can last up to a year. Modern infrared counters, such as the SensMax D3, are bidirectional and can distinguish between entries and exits. This lets you see the live occupancy at any time of day.
While accuracy can vary in extreme crowds, IR sensors are the ideal solution for 80% of retailers who need to understand footfall dynamics, peak hours, and busy days. They are efficient for gathering data on visitor numbers, peak hours, and traffic flow but are not designed for wide or open entrances.
IR sensors are also affordable to purchase, making them ideal for small shops. You also don’t need professional help to set them up and you can opt for wireless, battery-operated models to keep the cost of ownership low.
Radar Counters
If you run a larger store with a wider doorway, radar counters are more suitable. These people-counting devices use millimeter-wave (mmWave) radar to detect and count visitors by sending out radio waves and analyzing the reflections. They can be mounted on the ceiling, sidewall, or column, making them adaptable to your store design.
But the biggest appeal of radar people counters, such as the SensMax TAC-B 3DW, is privacy. They offer privacy by design, giving them a strategic advantage over any camera-based system in the US and EU markets.
Radar sensors can also handle multiple people walking side by side, making them perfect for fashion retailers and similar stores with open frontages.
In addition, they capture both visitors and passers-by and can distinguish between the two, allowing you to see how many potential customers are walking by without entering. You’re unlikely to find a better way to evaluate the performance of your window display.
Video Counting Cameras
Video Counting Cameras are installed directly above an entrance and track movement beneath them. They enable you to see exactly how many people are in your store at any time.
They can also distinguish people entering and leaving, making them suitable for monitoring real-time occupancy and calculating accurate conversion rates.
However, compared to radar sensors, video camera counters may not be suitable for many retailers. One of the reasons for this is that they give up your customer’s identity. Additionally, video cameras can be affected by direct sunlight, reflections, or ceiling height.
If you opt for a video camera counter, make sure you anonymize your data to comply with privacy regulations like GDPR.
Video people counters are also more complicated to install. In many cases, they require professional fitting and regular maintenance to maintain accuracy. When everything is taken into account, they can be costly for independent retailers and pop-up stores.
Why You Need People Counting for Your Retail Store
Whether customers are shopping at a large chain or in your upstart store, the expectations are the same. Obstructions in aisles or long queues at the register can cause many visitors to leave without making a purchase.
Using people-counting sensors can help you avoid these losses. They come with software like SensWeb that provides you with actionable insights allowing you to quickly make changes to improve customer experience. That can be something like making your best sellers more accessible or altering the layout to encourage movement to all corners of your store.
People counters can also help you measure conversion rates by comparing visitor numbers with POS results. This can help you know when you need to tweak things to improve sales.
On top of that, you can lower business expenses by pairing your people-counting device with MQTT to turn off HVAC when there are no customers in an aisle. Infrared and radar systems also protect customer privacy since they do not record video. If a customer notices, they are easier to explain than cameras.
Most modern people-counting devices can fit right into your store design without spoiling the aesthetics. Most devices are small and sleek and use wireless technology, allowing you to avoid clutter and potential tripping hazards that can spoil the customer experience.
Choosing Between Accuracy and Practicality
The “best” people counter isn’t necessarily the best choice for you. Most retailers opt for systems that offer actionable insights without creating installation problems and demanding high maintenance costs.
If your retail store has a sizable floor space and high footfall, going for accuracy over practicality may make sense. But the opposite is true for small shops, where a simple infrared sensor can give you accurate enough data to make decisions.
Infrared and radar allow you to keep track of your footfall without spending over the top. Additionally, they are GDPR compliant out of the box, making them the best option if privacy is a concern.
Conclusion
Investing in people-counting devices isn’t just about counting heads. The right system can help you improve your customers’ experience. After all, the goal is to turn browsers into buyers.
