Auror wins US tech award for retail crime software

Auror has won the Innovation and Frontier Technology Award from the New Zealand American Chamber of Commerce, recognising the New Zealand-founded company's work with major US retailers.

The retail crime intelligence software business said the recognition reflected its expansion in the US since entering the market in 2019. Its US retailer network now includes many of the country's biggest chains, and its North American team, based mainly in Denver, has been growing by about 20% year on year.

Auror's software allows retailers to record suspected crime incidents after they occur and share structured information with law enforcement. The company says the system helps stores identify repeat and organised offenders and supports decisions to reduce risk to staff, customers and property.

The award also highlighted Auror's partnership with the National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children, which is intended to strengthen the support retail partners can provide in efforts to keep children safe.

According to company figures, several large US retailers have reported lower rates of violence after using the platform. One outdoor gear and apparel retailer reported a 23% reduction in the rate of violence over the past 18 months, while a health and beauty retailer reported a 12% reduction.

US growth

The recognition comes as retail crime remains a major concern for store operators and police in North America. Retailers are under pressure to show they can protect frontline workers while improving how incidents are reported and linked across multiple locations.

Auror has positioned itself as a software provider focused on post-incident intelligence rather than physical security. Its system is used at more than 85,000 retail stores globally and by more than 3,500 law enforcement agencies across North America, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

Founded in New Zealand, the company has increasingly focused on the US as its largest growth market. The chamber presented the award for leadership in technological development in the US by a New Zealand-based company.

Phil Thomson, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Auror, linked the award to the company's relationships with retailers and other organisations in the US.

"We're very fortunate to work with world-class U.S. retailers and stakeholders who are passionate about our mission to reduce violent retail crime across the United States," Thomson said.

He also acknowledged the broader business ties between New Zealand and the US reflected in the award.

"Congratulations to all the finalists and award winners for their incredible contributions to building strong business connections between New Zealand and the United States," Thomson said.

Retail focus

Auror operates in a growing segment as retailers seek better data on theft, violence and repeat offending across store networks. Companies in the sector aim to help retailers move beyond isolated incident reports by connecting events and identifying patterns that can be shared with internal security teams and police.

The company says its structured reporting model allows retailers to log incidents securely and consistently. That information can then support investigations and help identify people believed to be involved in organised or prolific offending.

Its presence across several markets points to growing demand for tools that sit between store operations and law enforcement. Such systems are being adopted as retailers face greater scrutiny over workplace safety and the impact of theft and violence on store staff.

Auror's US expansion has become central to its international business. The company said its work now spans retailers from coast to coast, underlining the extent to which the New Zealand-founded software group has built a foothold in one of the world's biggest retail markets.

The chamber's award places that growth in the context of cross-border commercial ties, with Auror held up as an example of New Zealand technology gaining commercial traction in the US.