Survey Results: Is Loss Prevention Evolving?

As we enter the new year, the theme for 2026 is becoming clear: the role of loss prevention and asset protection is undergoing a massive transformation. 

In partnership with TalkLPNews, we wanted to find out how AP/LP leaders are reacting to the pace of change in physical security. From our discussions with a number of decision makers, we crafted questions that would help us understand the current challenges teams are facing and what their plans are looking ahead.

Make sure to join us for an in-depth conversation with industry experts and security leaders, they’ll discuss key takeaways from this survey and how you can better advocate for your department. Please sign up for an upcoming webinar hosted by TalkLPNews on February 5, 2026 here.

Our survey is still live. If you'd like to participate click here. You can also enter for a chance to win a gun safe from LVT.

These are preliminary results from the survey:

State of the Practice

Executives are no longer looking at AP/LP solely through the lens of safety, security, and shrink. Today, they are being asked to drive operational efficiencies, manage solution providers, and provide analytics that impact everything from compliance to the bottom line. Are security leaders already feeling that shift?

Q1: How would you best describe the current state of the LP profession?

• 75% said LP is evolving, providing greater value and influence across the business.
• 17% said LP remains valuable, but the core function is not changing significantly.
• 7% said LP is a diminishing discipline, struggling to prove its ROI beyond traditional security.
• 1% said Unsure/No opinion

A large majority of security professionals agree LP is evolving and there is still a lot of untapped value it can bring, however, a decent amount of surveyors believe their job remains the same.

Taking on New Initiatives

The proliferation of new technology has led to a generational shift in physical security. But who is leading the push in adoption and strategy shift to incorporate changes in both crime, safety, and rapid advances in security technology?

Q2: In your organization, are new, value-added LP initiatives (e.g., analytics, non-security use cases) typically driven by your team or by requests from other departments?

• 48% chose Proactively Driven: Our LP team identifies and leads new cross-departmental initiatives.
• 10% chose Reactive: We primarily respond to requests from operations, marketing, or HR.
• 34% chose Balanced: Initiatives are co-developed equally between LP and other departments.
• 8% chose We are not involved in new initiatives; our focus remains strictly on LP/security.

Nearly half of respondents say their teams are the ones driving new LP initiatives, while 34% said they collaborate with other departments on new initiatives. Only 8% of respondents tell us they’re not focused on new initiatives, but are strictly focused on executing safety and security operations.

Evolving Value to the Business

As highlighted above, the role AP/LP leaders provide to the business is evolving. Enterprise executives are finding success when they bake safety, security, and operations into business strategy. So what are some of the avenues AP teams are exploring to add additional value.

Q3: Aside from theft prevention and risk management, which of the following is the most valuable non-traditional function your LP team currently provides?

• 10% selected People/Traffic Analytics (e.g., measuring traffic flow, optimizing store layout)
• 4% selected Marketing/Promotional Compliance (e.g., verifying display setup, campaign execution)
• 6% selected Contractor/Vendor Management (e.g., monitoring site access, time on premises)
• 63% selected Operational Compliance/Safety Audits (e.g., monitoring safety protocols)
• 9% selected Supply Chain/Logistics Optimization
• 8% selected Does Not Apply at my Organization

In this question, you could only choose one option. It is very likely that LP teams provide a number of these non-traditional functions. A large majority said the most valuable of them all was for operational compliance and safety audits. While the others were largely split and 9% said this does not apply to them.

Artificial Intelligence's Influence on Value

AI-enabled technology has the ability to automate redundant tasks and solve operational inefficiencies at scale. But, backlash against AI has caused teams to be cautious when it comes to adoption.

Q4: On a scale of 1-5, how important are advanced technologies, like agentic AI and automated processes, to your LP team's ability to provide value in the future?

• 38% said 5 (Critical)
• 31% said 4 (Very Important)
• 18% said 3 (Moderately Important)
• 9% said 2 (Slightly Important)
• 4% said 1 (Not Important)

Artificial intelligence and automation remains a high priority for LPs as budget and staffing get tighter. Only 4% said it was not important to them.

Future Spend

Budget might be the biggest factor when it comes to securing your sites properly. Do you have a plan on how to spend it over the next year or so?

Q5: Over the next 12-18 months, where do you anticipate the majority of your LP security technology budget will be allocated?

• 43% anticipates Investment in AI/Analytics platforms for multi-departmental value.
• 35% anticipates Upgrading/expanding existing CCTV infrastructure for traditional security coverage.
• 6% anticipates Investment in EAS/LPM systems to counter organized retail crime (ORC).
• 9% anticipates Training and staffing initiatives for asset protection personnel.
• 7% chose Other

We had a decent amount of written responses to this question, giving us a bit more insight into the challenges leaders are facing when it comes to budget. 43% said they plan on investing in A.I. and analytics platforms that can be used across multiple departments. 35% want to use it on upgrading existing CCTV infrastructure. Some will use their budget on staff training, but a very small amount said they spend on systems to directly combat ORC. 

For those that chose other, here are some of their anonymous responses:

• “Training and staffing go hand in hand with all types of investments. That said, I’d expand and include AI technology.”
• “We aren’t given a tech budget and must make opex/capex requests each year.”
• “Our technology budget will be scattered across multiple areas to ensure we stay as close to the cusp as possible in all areas.”
• “They aren't looking to expand our LP budget.”
• “Upgrade CCTV with AI functionality.”

Choice of Cocktail for the TalkLPNews Reception

Ahead of TalkLPNew’s reception during NRF BIG in New York, we wanted to know what cocktail attendees preferred.

Bonus Question: For those who are attending the rooftop reception in NYC, what’s your favorite type of booze?

• 26% picked Bourbon
• 7% picked I’d love a good mocktail
• 12% picked Bourbon, but fancier
• 13% picked Whiskey, but make it bourbon
• 10% picked Tequila. Just kidding… bourbon.
• 32% picked Please, anything other than bourbon

The winner does seem to be bourbon, which means the featured drink will be a “New Fashioned” by LVT. Think of it as a nod to how the profession is evolving. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of other drink choices and refreshments.

Join the Webinar to Learn More

Make sure to join LVT and TalkLPnews on February 5, 2026, for an in-depth conversation with industry experts and security leaders as we dive deeper into these survey results. Beyond the survey results, we’ll provide a blueprint on how to use these findings to better advocate for your department and secure the resources you need.