IHL Group’s "Shelf Intelligence Report" analyzes inventory accuracy problems among major US retailers (grocery, drug, mass merchants, large-format and department stores with >$500M revenue). The report quantifies global costs of overstocks/out-of-stocks (~$1.7T), documents frequent inventory inaccuracies (industry averages: OSA 58%, Planogram 57%, Promotional 60%), and links these failures to strained retailer–brand relationships and lost revenue. It evaluates technology solutions—highlighting AI-powered robotics (52% cite benefit) and RFID—and discusses adoption models (majority prefer leasing/robotics-as-a-service), organizational barriers, and a data-monetization opportunity from accurate shelf intelligence.
Questions this document answers
$1.7 trillion worldwide (about 5% of global retail revenue).
67% (46% weekly, 21% daily/constantly).
58% average On-Shelf Availability accuracy.
67% prefer leasing or third-party responsibility; 33% prefer ownership.
72% would accept in-store robots; 17% currently use them.