Auror named Hi-Tech Awards finalist on retail crime

Auror has been named a finalist for Company of the Year in the New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards, one of the country's top technology honours.

The retail crime intelligence software company is one of six New Zealand technology businesses shortlisted by local and international judges. It said the nomination reflected its work with retailers and police forces across multiple markets.

Auror helps retailers record suspected in-store crime, identify repeat and organised offenders, and share information with law enforcement. Its platform is used in more than 85,000 stores and by more than 3,500 law enforcement agencies across North America, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

According to the company, its customer base now includes more than six million retail workers in seven countries. That reach underpins its argument that retail crime is not only a loss prevention issue, but also a workplace safety concern for frontline staff.

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Phil Thomson linked the nomination to the company's partnerships with retailers and police.

"To work with some of the most recognised brands in the world and partner with leading law enforcement agencies is an absolute privilege - helping them better understand the scale of crime and violence impacting frontline workers and provide them the tools to keep their people safe," Thomson said.

Auror said many retail partners have committed to a shared goal of cutting violent retail crime by 50% over five years. It did not provide a consolidated figure for progress, but pointed to police operations and organised crime investigations in several countries over the past year.

Global reach

One example cited was a case in the United States in which retailer information held in Auror was used by police in Texas. According to the company, the investigation dismantled a US$1 billion crime ring involving about 190 individuals, with activity spanning 28 states and crossing international borders.

"In the U.S, retailer information in Auror helped police dismantle a $1 billion crime ring in Texas, which involved about 190 individuals and impacted 28 states and even across international borders," Thomson said.

Auror also pointed to collaboration between retailers and police in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. In Britain, it said it has worked with the largest police forces to connect them with retailers on its network as violence on high streets has become a growing issue.

In Australia, police forces including Victoria Police and NSW Police use the system in dedicated retail crime operations, which have recently targeted sophisticated criminal syndicates, according to the company.

"Meanwhile retailers and police across the UK, Australia and New Zealand are working together like never before. We've partnered with the largest police forces in the UK to connect them to our Auror Network of retailers to deal with the high rates of violence taking over their high streets, meanwhile in Australia, police forces like Victoria Police and NSW Police use Auror to drive their successful dedicated retail crime operations which have untangled sophisticated criminal syndicates in recent months," Thomson said.

Safety focus

Auror's pitch to retailers rests on two linked claims: that information about incidents is often fragmented across stores, and that structured records can help identify patterns earlier. It says that process can support decisions on staff safety, store risk and police resource allocation.

Thomson said the company's impact depended on the employers and law enforcement agencies using the system.

"Our customers are some of the biggest employers in the world; they have an obligation to ensure their teams go home safe from each shift. I'm incredibly proud that over six million retail workers across 85,000 stores in seven countries can count on the Auror Network effect to make them safer," Thomson said.

Retail crime has become a more prominent issue for large chains and policymakers in several of Auror's markets, particularly where staff assaults and organised theft have risen. That backdrop has helped drive demand for systems that let stores compare incidents across regions and share case information more quickly with investigators.

Auror previously won the Most Innovative Software Solution title at the New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards in 2022. Its latest shortlisting places it in one of the awards' highest-profile company categories.

"Retail connects us all - it's where we work, shop, socialise - so the issue of retail crime touches everyone, and we're proud to play a role in making a difference," Thomson said.