Store intelligence platform using proximity sensing

A method for providing store intelligence, comprising:

• communicating a first unique identifier between a first beacon of a first proximity system disposed adjacent to an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) system of a first facility and a Mobile Communication Device (“MCD”) possessed by a person located in proximity to the first beacon via a first Short Range Communication (“SRC”);
• communicating the first unique identifier and a second unique identifier to an intelligence system located remote from the first beacon and the MCD, where the first and second unique identifiers collectively comprise a unique identifier of the first beacon and a unique identifier of the MCD;
• capturing a first time stamped image of the person using a camera of the proximity system which is located near the first beacon;
• communicating the first time stamped image to the intelligence system for storage;
• performing operations at the intelligence system to enhance the security or safety of the first facility by (1) using the first unique identifier to detect an entrance or exit of the person to/from the first facility, (2) using at least one of the second unique identifier and the first time stamped image to make a first determination as to an identification of the person, or (3) using at least the first time stamped image to make a second determination as to whether the person possibly stole an article from the first facility or a second facility with a specified degree of confidence;
• and
• inhibiting an issuance of an alarm by the EAS system in response to a detection that the person is exiting the first facility with the article and a determination that the person did not steal the article from the first or second facility with the specified degree of confidence.