Bailiwick Account Executive Brady Caviness attended the NRF Protect Conference in Grapevine, TX. He shares his thoughts on this year’s conference in the following article.

Attending the NRF Protect Conference this year was a standout experience for me. The energy, collaboration, and urgency to solve challenges in loss prevention (LP) was unlike anything I’ve seen in the industry.

I represented Bailiwick at the Sera4 booth, showcasing our new digital locking solution. I was pleasantly surprised by the level of interest of conference attendees. Retailers came from all corners of industry from grocery chains to sporting goods stores—wanting to know how they could eliminate keys, speed up customer service, and secure high-value or frequently stolen items.

Loss Prevention Improves Operations

One of the biggest takeaways for me was how much the focus in LP is shifting from just preventing loss to improving operations. When I talked to customers about our digital locking system, the light bulb moment usually came when they realized how much faster associates could respond to customer needs. No more hunting for keys, just secure, documented, streamlined access. In addition, there are use cases where shoppers could access secured merchandise using a loyalty app – eliminating the need for an associate to help. It’s a win for the shopper and the store.

I also noticed a trend toward the use of body cameras. What used to be considered a “law enforcement only” tool is now becoming increasingly common in retail and many different manufacturers are developing their own solutions. Last year Bailiwick helped a client deploy more than 1,000 body cameras to 300 locations in 30 days. Based on the level of interest I saw, I expect we will be deploying even more this year. The increased use and offerings of body cameras speaks volumes about how serious retailers are about protecting their teams and their stores.

Collaboration is Key

Another thing that struck me was the level of collaboration between retailers, even between competitors. Everyone’s facing the same rising threat of organized retail crime, and it was satisfying to see companies openly share ideas and strategies to fight it. The booth next to us was a law firm that specializes in prosecuting organized crime rings. That alone tells you how high the stakes are—and how seriously this community is taking it.

Bailiwick’s and Sera4’s main message at the conference was: “Stop shrink, not shoppers.” You could see that mindset reflected in nearly every solution on display. Our goal is to always help clients deter theft without frustrating customers or creating friction in the shopping experience. That balance—security without sacrifice—is becoming the north star among loss prevention professionals.

On a more personal note, it was exciting to see such a diverse and young crowd at the conference. It wasn’t just senior leadership in attendance, there were more younger people from regional roles, all deeply engaged at the conference. It made NRF Protect feel even more forward-looking, like we’re entering a new age in retail loss prevention that’s not only smarter but more inclusive and collaborative.

Between the crowded booths, well-attended sessions, and insightful conversations with clients, NRF Protect felt like a true meeting of minds. I left more confident than ever that Bailiwick’s innovative, scalable solutions—like our digital locks—are exactly what the industry needs right now.

I look forward to having more conversations about helping our clients deploy smarter, more efficient LP technology across their locations. If we haven’t connected yet, let’s change that. The fight against shrink is real—but with the right tools and partnerships, it’s one we can win.