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Reach out to us!
Start your AI journey today and let us help you understand your business better. Send us an email or book a meeting with one click!
22nd July 2025
Huy (Leo)
A footfall counter no longer serves the simple purpose of getting the amount of people entering your store, with today’s AI technology integration, it provides more insightful information about the customer behaviour.
A footfall counter no longer serves the simple purpose of getting the amount of people entering your store, with today’s AI technology integration, it provides more insightful information about the customer behaviour.
Modern occupancy counters track not just volume, but patterns — when shoppers arrive, how long they stay, and how they move through the space.
These insights allow retailers to:
Align staffing with peak hours
Measure the success of marketing campaigns
Ensure safety through occupancy monitoring
At MerlinCloud, We are capable of turning raw numbers into action - providing values to retail managers by optimising both customer flow and in store operations.
You may have heard of conversion in retail, but what does that mean in practice?
Retail Conversion Rate = Total Sales / Total Visitors
A high footfall but low conversion rate signals a breakdown in the in-store journey. Maybe customers can’t find what they’re looking for. Maybe displays aren’t compelling. Maybe queues are too long.
By tracking KPI retail store metrics like
Conversion rate by time of day
Bounce rate (walk-ins who don’t buy)
Average dwell time
Retailers can isolate what’s working and fix what’s not.
Here’s where smart tech makes a real difference.
For instance, with Merlin AI-powered retail store analytics, you can:
Use heatmaps to see where customers linger
Adjust digital signage in real-time based on crowd density
Trigger content via sensors to improve engagement
Integrating tools like digital kiosks or interactive signage not only improves the customer journey, but also supports product discovery and upselling.
“Retailers aren’t alone in embracing smart tech, major fast food chains like Shake Shack, Burger King, and KFC have doubled down on digital ordering kiosks. These kiosks now account for over half of in-store sales at Shake Shack, with features like automated upselling and personalised prompts driving higher spend and smoother service. It’s clear that consumers are not just comfortable with self-service, they expect it.”
- Business Insider
This shift reflects a broader trend toward hyperphysical retail — where digital interfaces blend seamlessly into physical spaces.
Smart digital kiosks in retail environments now act as both engagement points and data sources, helping brands personalize experiences while gathering insights into shopper behavior.
The result? More engaged shoppers, better informed decisions, and ultimately higher conversion rates.
Understanding footfall is only useful if you act on it.
Here’s how top retailers are building a stronger retail sales strategy:
Mapping the full customer journey in retail shopping
Using retail analytics data to test product placements
Creating hyperphysical store experiences — blending physical displays with real-time digital interaction
Rather than guessing what customers want, retailers now know and can pivot faster than ever before.
Feature | Traditional Counters | Smart Footfall Analytics (e.g. Merlin Cloud) |
People Counting | Basic | Accurate with AI tracking |
Occupancy Monitoring | Not available | Real time alerts & compliance tracking |
Conversion Rate Calculation | Manual / disconnected | Automated, linked to sales data |
Dwell Time & Heatmaps | Not supported | Visual customer journey mapping |
Integration with Digital Signage | No | Context aware content delivery |
Predictive Insights | None | AI forecasting for staffing & inventory |
Smart retailers don’t just count customers — they understand them.
With tools like Merlin Cloud, you can measure footfall, track conversion, and use real-time data to shape a smarter, more profitable retail environment.
If you're ready to bridge the gap between traffic and transactions, explore how our platform can support your growth, discover more now.
