Out of stock: a major issue for FMCG companies

Supermarket shelf with out of stock

Out of stock cause a significant loss of earnings, estimated at 4.2 billion euros in hypermarkets and supermarkets according to NielsenIQ figures, and also have a negative impact on the image of stores. To illustrate this challenge, we studied the Tea Drinks category in nearly 200 point of sales and supermarkets in August. Here are some insights:

Out of stock impacts the attractiveness of the shelf

Unsurprisingly, a shelf with a lot of out of stock is less attractive and makes shoppers less inclined to buy than a well-filled shelf. Good shelf execution is essential for stores, but also for brands in order to enhance the shopping experience and trigger a purchase.

No product is spared by out of stock

We have selected four leading products in the tea category to measure their out of stock rates. Market leaders, growing brands, private labels: all products are affected by out of stock. Of the four references, Fuze Tea was out of stock most frequently: in 13% of stores.

Graph on out of stock rate by reference

Leclerc and Carrefour are the point of sales with higher out of stock rates

Of the four references, we found an average out of stock rate of 8%. Leclerc and Carrefour were the lowest performers, with out of stock rates of up to 11% and 9.4% respectively. Over the last 5 out of stock studies carried out by Roamler, both retailers have always had above average out of stock rates. An increased attention to have!

How Roamler can help you reduce out of stock

A complete diagnosis to identify precisely on which point of sales and references the out of stock should be worked on

Prioritisation of actions to be taken via the measurement of the potential revenue loss due to the out of stock

Operational recommendations on the shelf with concrete data on the number of facings to be reached on the merchandising plans and for sales representatives objectives.

Request a demo today