Why high-tech surveillance is failing where "ownership culture" once succeeded.
In my early days at KB’s Fair Price (Future Group), our most effective security measure wasn’t a CCTV camera or a guard in a crisp uniform.
It was a simple, manual sign at the gate: "Garv se kaho, hum kanjoos hain" (Say it with pride, we are stingy).
This wasn’t a cry for cheapness. It was a manifesto for frugality. We didn't waste money on unnecessary luxuries like high-end AC or expensive decor so that we could pass every single rupee of savings to the customer. And the profitability? It was immense.
But as I look at the retail landscape today, I see a dangerous shift. We have moved from a culture of Shared Ownership to a culture of High-Cost Surveillance.
The FG Model: Stakeholding vs. Monitoring
Back then, the profit model was decentralized and transparent. It was a simple, brutal, and highly effective math equation:
Shrinkage was Everyone’s Business: We didn't use guards to prevent theft; we used incentives. If shrinkage stayed within the limit, the store team shared the surplus savings.
The Breakdown: The Store Manager received 25%, the ASM received 15%, and the remaining pool was distributed among the Team Members (TM).
True Skin in the Game: The best part? The accountability worked both ways. If shrinkage exceeded the limit, the recovery was split using the same percentage.
The result: Every team member—from the person at the cash desk to the store manager—acted like a business owner. We didn't need guards because the team was watching the inventory. They treated every SKU as if it were their own money.
The Modern Retail Paradox: The Surveillance Trap
Fast forward to 2026. Modern retail stores are fortresses.
The Overhead Explosion: We invest heavily in high-definition CCTV systems, motion sensors, and high-paying security guards at every entry point.
The Resulting Fragility: Despite this, shrinkage is at an all-time high in many stores.
We have fallen into the Surveillance Trap. We believe that if we spend enough on security technology, we can solve the problem of trust. But here is the reality: Cameras can record a theft, but they cannot prevent a culture of carelessness.
When you rely solely on guards and cameras, you are telling your staff: "I don't trust you to manage this." When you tell your staff you don't trust them, they stop feeling responsible for the profit. The guards become overhead, the cameras become "noise," and the shrinkage continues.
Bridging the Gap: The Vyas Insights Approach
Does this mean we should abandon tech? Absolutely not. Today’s tools—like Zoho Inventory, POS analytics, and real-time dashboards—give us visibility our stores in the 2000s could only dream of.
But we have to combine modern Visibility with the old-school Ownership Mindset.
Stop Monitoring, Start Incentivizing: Use your tech to track shrinkage, but create an incentive structure where the team benefits from store savings. Make the data transparent so everyone sees their impact on the bottom line.
Technology is a Tool, Not a Replacement for Leadership: Use CCTV for safety and flow analysis, not as a replacement for store-floor management. If your team is aligned with the goals, they will secure the store far better than any guard ever could.
Frugality is a Competitive Advantage: Being "kanjoos" on waste is how you afford to be generous with your customers. Ruthlessly eliminate the "noise" (unnecessary overheads) so you can double down on the "signal" (customer experience and pricing).
The Bottom Line: You don't need more guards. You need more owners.
Modern retail tech should be used to empower your team, not just to watch them. It’s time to stop treating your store like a fortress and start running it like a business—where everyone has a stake in the success.
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