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As a store owner, you're likely feeling the pressure of doing more with less—fewer staff, rising costs, and increasingly high customer expectations. At VIVOTEK, we understand those pain points firsthand. That’s why our team made its debut at the 2025 National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show in Chicago, partnering with Kabob Cloud to showcase how to help retail and restaurant owners work smarter—not harder.
What Store Owners Are Facing in 2025
From fast-growing labor costs to operational inefficiencies and digital transformation needs, store owners today face a complex and competitive landscape. With over 2,200 exhibiting companies and 800+ newcomers, the NRA Show proved one thing: store operators are urgently seeking practical tools to optimize their operations without overhauling their infrastructure.
Three common questions echoed through the show floor:
- How can I reduce manual work and staffing pressure?
- Can I personalize customer experiences without more workload?
- How do I stay competitive without rebuilding my tech stack?
These are exactly the challenges that VORTEX and Kabob Cloud’s integrated smart store solution was built to address. Many attendees were surprised to learn that a surveillance platform could be the engine behind smarter workflows, personalized service, and optimized operations.
From Video to Value: Real-Time Insights That Drive Results
We demonstrated how VORTEX and Kabob Cloud integrate counting cameras, digital signage, and POS data to deliver business ready insights:
1. VORTEX Smart Store Video Integration
- Connects cameras, POS, and signage for real-time customer data
- Offers gender and age analysis for personalized marketing
- Matches footage with transactions to streamline refunds
- Tracks foot traffic to enable smarter staffing
2. AI-Powered Drive-Thru Ordering System
In our live demo, store owners saw how drive-thru operations are evolving with AI:
- VORTEX cameras recognize returning vehicles via license plate
- AI voice ordering initiates automatically for faster service
- Smart queue insights help staff respond in real time
As market data shows, 37.25% of retailers prioritize AI for crowd and queue management, while 36.27% seek customer behavior analytics—proof that the shift toward smart automation is already happening.
See chart: Retailers’ top AI video analytics priorities for 2025.
One Unified Ecosystem. Smart Retail, Simplified
Together, VORTEX × Kabob Cloud empowers store owners with a fully integrated ecosystem
- AI Surveillance + POS Data — Simplify audits, reduce refund time, and increase upsell
- Drive-Thru AI + Voice Ordering — Speed up service and recognize returning customers
- Queue Management + Digital Signage — Adapt instantly to real-time demand
- Customer Analytics — Turn everyday video into revenue-driving insight
This isn't about buying more tech—it's about maximizing what you already have. VORTEX supports existing camera setups, scales to multiple locations, and ensures NDAA/TAA compliance.
A New Era of Smart Store Management
Store owners we spoke to were clear: they want tools that make life easier—not more complicated. Many left our booth realizing that VORTEX isn't just for security; it's a new way to run your store.
At VORTEX, we're committed to helping retailers future-proof their business. With VORTEX AI, open integrations, and a growing partner ecosystem, we’re here to help you:
✔ Streamline daily operations
✔ Boost service with fewer resources
✔ Unlock insights from every frame of video
VORTEX — Smart Retail Starts Here.
? Visit VORTEX to learn more or request a demo.
