retail traffic counter background 1

Retail Traffic Counter:
Maximize Your Retail Success

Discover the power of retail people counter and
your best choice: Milesight

Occupancy & People Counting Series

product
  • Overview
  • Benefit
  • Feature
  • Product
  • Technology
  • Considerations
  • Success Story
  • FAQ

Contact Us

Discover Retail Traffic Counters: Enhance Your Insights

retail traffic counter background 2

A retail traffic counter is a device that tracks the number of people entering and exiting a retail store. This data provides crucial insights into customer behaviors, helping businesses improve their strategies, increase conversion rates, and boost store performance.

Milesight's best retail traffic counters come in various types and technologies to meet the needs of different businesses. These sensors assist in a range of applications in retail scenarios, such as monitoring customer flow and footfall, identifying the best-performing area, recognizing peak shopping hours, and more.

Want To Know More? Contact Us

Maximizing Retail Potential: Features of Milesight People Counter

Traffic counting enables real-time monitoring of foot traffic in retail scenarios and provides valuable data, offering merchants the possibility of adjusting their strategies according to traffic trend changes. Milesight retail store traffic counters are highly suitable for the retail industry. Milesight offers a range of features designed to optimize retail operations and drive sales.

retail traffic counter various features

Multi-Device Stitching

Smooth fusion of multiple sensors through simple configuration extends the coverage of the target area.

Adults and Children Differentiation

Differentiate between adults and children by height and other indicators to improve data accuracy and granularity.

Dwell Time Detection

Tracking how long customers spend in specific areas to gauge customer satisfaction and engagement.

Group People Counting

Intelligently count grouped data to present valid consumption data.

retail traffic counter feature line crossing counting

Line Crossing People Counting

Count the number of people entering and exiting, and use the U-turn filtering to exclude redundant data from loitering individuals.

Tailgating Detection

It effectively recognizes tailgating and is suitable for use in environments where access control, such as card swiping or monitored entrance and exit, is required.

Staff Detection

Identify different categories of personnel using special markings, such as reflective strips or employee work lanyards.

Regional People Counting

Capture the foot traffic in multiple customized areas to determine customer behaviors.

Shopping Cart Detection

Detect the number and fill level of shopping carts for retail analytics.

Heat Map

retail traffic counter feature heat map

Visually representing the flow of people, the length of stay, and their movement patterns. It provides valuable data on the distribution and intensity of passenger traffic.

Key Metrics Captured by Modern Retail Traffic Counters

Visitor Count

Track precise daily, weekly, and monthly store traffic with up to 98% accuracy, allowing for reliable year-over-year comparisons and trend analysis.

Bounce Rate

Quantify the percentage of potential customers who exit within a customizable time, helping identify issues with store entrance, initial impressions, or greeter effectiveness.

Traffic Flow Patterns

Generate detailed heatmaps revealing customer journey paths, bottlenecks, and underutilized spaces to optimize store layout and product placement.

Group Size

Distinguish between solo shoppers, couples, and family groups to tailor merchandising and space planning for different shopping behaviors and basket sizes.

Dwell Time

Measure precisely how long customers engage with specific displays, departments, or products, identifying which areas capture interest versus those needing improvement.

Return Rate

Identify loyal customers through anonymous tracking, measuring how frequently they return and which promotions most effectively drive repeat business.

How Can Retail Traffic Analytics Help Optimize Conversion Rates?

retail traffic counter bg1

Retail traffic counters compare foot traffic with sales data to enable promotional ROI analysis. This technology measures campaign effectiveness, calculates cost-per-visit metrics, and identifies which promotions attract qualified buyers versus those that merely increase traffic volume.

retail traffic counter bg2

By analyzing movement patterns, dwell time, and peak hours, retailers gain crucial insights into customer preferences. This data enables targeted marketing campaigns based on actual shopping behaviors and helps businesses compare seasonal trends for more strategic planning.

retail traffic counter bg3

Store traffic counters identify prime locations for high-margin products and promotional displays. Retailers can pinpoint underperforming areas with high traffic but low conversion, test layout changes, and continuously refine store environments to enhance customer experience and boost sales.

retail traffic counter bg4

Traffic data helps precisely align staff scheduling with customer flow, maximizing coverage during peak hours while minimizing labor costs. The same data also prevents stockouts during busy periods while reducing excess inventory during predictable lulls. It also enables benchmarking across multiple store locations, helping retailers identify performance differences and optimize staffing and inventory strategies accordingly.

retail traffic counter bg5

Retail traffic analytics improves the in-store experience by reducing wait times and enhancing service responsiveness. Real-time insights into peak periods allow for quick staffing adjustments, faster checkout, and more attentive customer support. Traffic flow data also helps eliminate bottlenecks in store design for smoother navigation and a better shopping experience.

Implementing a best retail traffic counter provides the data foundation needed to make evidence-based marketing and real estate decisions that increase efficiency, improve customer experience, and ultimately drive higher revenue for your retail business.

Performance Measurement and
Marketing Optimization

Customer Behavior Analysis

Store Layout and Product Placement

Staffing and Inventory Optimization

Enhancing Customer Experience

Milesight People Counting Sensors for Diverse Retail Needs

ai stereo vision people counter vs125

VS125

AI Stereo Vision
People Counter

Accuracy: Up to 99.8%

Technology: Al, RGB, Binocular Technology

Functionality:
Bi-Directional/Regional People Counting, Dwell Time Detection

Application Scenario: Retail Stores, Airports, Buildings, Supermarkets

ai tof people counting sensor vs133

VS133

Al ToF People
Counting Sensor

Accuracy: Up to 99.8%

Technology: Al, 2nd Generation ToF

Functionality: Bi-Directional/Regional People Counting, Dwell Time Detection

Application scenario: Retail, Building, Airport, Supermarket

ultra tof people counter vs135

VS135

Ultra ToF People
Counter

Accuracy: Up to 99.8%

Technology: Al, 2nd Generation ToF

Functionality: Bi-Directional/Regional People Counting, Dwell Time Detection

Application scenario: Retail, Building, Airport, Supermarket

ai workplace occupancy sensor vs121

VS121

Al Workplace
Occupancy Sensor

Accuracy: Up to~95%

Technology: Al, RGB

Functionality: Bi-Directional/Regional People Counting, Multi-Zone Occupancy Detection, Occupancy Detection

Application Scenario: Retail, Workplace, Airport

passage people counter vs350

VS350

Passage
People Counter

Accuracy: Multiple People: ~80%

Technology: Dual PIR

Functionality: BiDirectional People Counting

Application scenario: Retail, Workplace, Restroom

mini ai thermopile people counter vs351

VS351

Mini AI Thermopile
People Counter

Accuracy: Up to 99.8%

Technology: Radar, Thermopile

Functionality: Bi-Directional People Counting

Application scenario: Meeting Room

ir break beam people counter vs360

VS360

IR Breakbeam
People Counter

Accuracy: Multiple People: ~80%

Technology: IR Breakbeam

Functionality: Bi-Directional People Counting

Application scenario: Open Space People Counting

Full Product Comparison Guide

Types of Advanced People Counting
Technologies

Milesight retail foot traffic counters use advanced technologies like AI, Time of Flight (ToF),
Passive Infrared (PIR), thermopile, radar, and infrared beams to accurately detect and
track patron traffic data.

Want to learn more about Milesight's products and technologies?
Get a free consultation, share your needs and usage scenarios,
and receive personalized guidance!

Get a free consultaion Explore More People Counting Technology

AI

AI technology improves footfall people counting systems by using machine learning to analyze data and distinguish humans from other objects. This reduces false counts in complex environments and adapts to different conditions, ensuring reliable performance in various scenarios.

ToF (Time of Flight)

ToF technology measures light travel time to generate 3D depth data, enabling accurate distance measurements, even in low light. It's ideal for footfall counting, reducing errors from overlapping objects in crowded areas.

PIR (Passive Infrared)

PIR footfall sensors detect movement by measuring changes in infrared radiation from warm objects like people. They are cost-effective and energy-efficient, making them ideal for detecting human motion in low-light or indoor settings.

Thermopile

Thermopile sensors measure infrared radiation to provide precise temperature readings, even when a person is stationary. Ideal for thermal imaging and environmental monitoring, they offer accurate measurements without needing movement to trigger detection.

Infrared Beam

Infrared Beam technology detects when a person or object crosses its path by registering interruptions in the infrared light. This simple, effective method is ideal for monitoring entry points with predictable movement, like doorways or gates.

RGB Camera: Monocular Technology

Monocular technology uses a single RGB camera to capture color images, identifying and counting people based on appearance and movement. It's simple, cost-effective, and suitable for tracking footfall traffic, managing visitors, and detecting occupancy in various environments.

RGB Camera: Binocular technology

Binocular technology uses two cameras to create a 3D view, improving accuracy in counting footfall traffic by detecting depth and distinguishing individuals. It's ideal for crowded areas, providing detailed insights like gender and facial recognition for enhanced crowd management.

Radar

Radar technology emits radio waves and analyzes reflections to detect motion, speed, and distance. It excels in large or dynamic environments, tracking through walls and obstacles, and works reliably in all lighting conditions, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.
*Milesight radar sensor is set to launch in 2024 H2.

Key Factors to Consider in a Retail Traffic Counter

Accuracy

Ease of Installation

Privacy and Ethical
Considerations

Seamless Integration

Data & Analytics

retail traffic counter accuracy

Measurement accuracy is crucial when selecting a retail traffic counter. Accurate data ensures meaningful insights and reliable decision-making.

Retail spaces vary greatly—from small boutique stores to large supermarkets and shopping malls. Milesight's retail traffic counters use advanced technologies like Time-of-Flight (ToF), AI, and thermal sensing to deliver high accuracy in both compact areas and wide entrances. Some products reach up to 99.8% accuracy, ensuring precise detection even in complex environments with heavy foot traffic or overlapping movement.

retail traffic counter ease of installation

In retail, minimizing installation disruption is critical. A good retail traffic counter should adapt to the physical layout of different stores—whether the ceiling is high, low, or irregularly shaped.

Milesight devices offer flexible installation options to suit entrances, hallways, and open spaces. Even in stores with high ceilings or limited mounting space, our counters support downward-facing, ceiling-mounted setups with stable performance. Both wired and wireless connectivity options are available, allowing for hassle-free deployment regardless of your store's infrastructure.

retail traffic counter privacy and ethical considerations

Retail environments are sensitive to customer privacy. A modern retail traffic counter must respect privacy rights while still providing valuable data.

Milesight ensures fully anonymous store traffic counting. Our retail traffic solutions avoid collecting personally identifiable information (PII) by relying on technologies like ToF, PIR, and thermopiles, which detect presence without recording images. Data is securely transmitted via LoRaWAN®, which uses a narrow bandwidth for privacy-focused communication. We follow strict compliance with GDPR and global privacy standards, making our retail traffic counting solutions suitable for privacy-conscious retail brands.

retail traffic counter seamless integration

An effective traffic counter for retail store should integrate with your existing systems to create a connected retail ecosystem.

Milesight counters are compatible with popular platforms like POS, CRM, and inventory management tools. Using open APIs and MQTT/HTTP(s) protocols, our devices can seamlessly connect to Milesight IoT Cloud or third-party systems, ensuring smooth data flow and improved operational efficiency.

retail traffic counter data and analytics

Retail success depends on turning data into action. A smart retail traffic counter should provide more than just visitor numbers.

Milesight devices deliver comprehensive analytics, including total visitor count, dwell time, peak hours, and bounce rate. Advanced features such as shopping cart detection, fill level recognition, and group size tracking support deeper customer behavior insights. These data points empower retailers to improve store layout, optimize staffing, and enhance marketing performance.

Success Stories

The Milesight AI ToF People Counting Sensor VS133 is deployed in over 700 retail stores across Europe, with more than 1,000 units installed. This solution is utilized in various industries, including clothing, retail, jewelry, cosmetics, and more. Leading retail brands like JOTT, Herno, and Hawkers use this technology to optimize operations and enhance performance.

See How it Works in Retail

Milesight's VS133 AI ToF People Counting Sensor empowered Bizkaia's small retailers with actionable insights through precise retail traffic counting. This LoRaWAN® solution helped businesses optimize staffing, improve layouts, and measure marketing effectiveness while maintaining customer privacy. The implementation proves that affordable retail traffic counters can transform small businesses by converting foot traffic data into a strategic advantage.

Explore More
maxresdefault

1000+ Retail Traffic Counters Improve Business in 700+ Retail Stores in Europe

retail traffic counter success stories

Anonymous In-Store People Counting Empowers Retail Traffic Counter Deployment for Small Retailers in Spain

FAQs

Q: How does retail traffic impact overall sales and customer engagement?

A: Retail traffic directly influences a store's potential customer base. By closely monitoring foot traffic, retailers can gain valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences.

For instance, installing a Milesight people counter in your store will allow you to detect peak hours and zones. This data allow you to optimize staff scheduling, achieve a better customer experience, and reduce labor costs. Also, by identifying areas of high-traffic zones and customer dwell times, you can strategically place advertising and merchandise to maximize impact.

Overall, tracking retail traffic and capturing effective data can help retailers tailor their marketing efforts and shop experiences to better engage shoppers and increase satisfaction.

See How Milesight Meet Your Different Needs

Q: What insights can retailers gain from footfall traffic data?

A: Footfall traffic data offers retailers a wealth of information to inform business decisions and strategies:

1.Peak Shopping Times: Identify the busiest times of day, week, or month to optimize staffing and scheduling.

2.Customer Flow Patterns: Understand how customers navigate the store, highlighting popular areas and potential bottlenecks.

3.Store Layout Effectiveness: Evaluate the effectiveness of store layouts and displays, guiding improvements for better customer engagement.

4.Conversion Rates: Compare foot traffic to sales data to assess conversion rates and identify opportunities to enhance sales.

5.Marketing Impact: Measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and promotions by analyzing changes in foot traffic during specific periods.

6.Space Utilization: Determine which store areas are underutilized and make adjustments to optimize space usage.

7.Customer Demographics: Gather demographic insights to tailor offerings and marketing strategies to different customer segments.

Overall, leveraging footfall traffic data enables retailers to make data-driven decisions that enhance operational efficiency, improve customer experience, and ultimately achieve higher sales and profitability.

Q: How does AI enhance the accuracy of people counting systems?

A: AI enhances the accuracy of people counting systems by using advanced algorithms and machine learning to analyze data more precisely.

It can distinguish between different types of movement, filter out false counts caused by shadows or reflections, and continuously improve counting accuracy over time by learning from past data.

This results in more reliable foot traffic statistics and better insights for decision-making.

Milesight VS133 AI ToF People Counting Sensor Privacy Security Guide

Q: Can Milesight people counters be used in large-scale retail scenarios?

A: Of course, our products are highly versatile and can be applied in a wide variety of scenarios.

In large-scale retail environments, the installation and maintenance of the sensors need to be taken into account. The Milesight VS135 can be mounted at a height of 6.5m, making it suitable for the high ceilings often found in shopping centers.

Additionally, Milesight retail traffic counters support multi-device stitching, allowing multiple units to be seamlessly fused together. This feature accommodates large shopping complexes of varying sizes. With excellent battery life and an anti-fouling design, maintenance costs are kept to a minimum.

Besides, our counters offer multiple detection methods, people identification, heat mapping, and more advanced features to meet the diverse needs of large shopping centers.

See More Milesight People Counters Applications

Q: What are the data transfer frequency and storage capacity of the ToF people counters VS13x?

A: The VS13x offers two reporting modes: immediate reporting and dot reporting.

· The immediate reporting allows for a reporting cycle ranging from 1 to 1080 minutes.

· The dot reporting mode, also known as hourly reporting, supports intervals from a minimum of 5 minutes up to a maximum of 12 hours.

Both the VS133 and VS135 models are suitable for indoor use. Notably, the VS135 Ultra ToF People Counter is also suitable for semi-outdoor environments and high ceilings, featuring an IP65 rating and optimal performance for ceilings up to 6.5 meters high.

Full Product Comparison Guide

*Your Email

*Country

*Your Phone

*Company

*Your Website

*Business Type

*What Product are You Interested in?

*Message

*Verification Code

Verify Code

If you are interested in Milesight, please leave us a message.

Verify Code

Contact Us

Contact Us

Verify Code

Contact Us to Get More Information