The dairy category is one of the most high-stakes aisles in the store. Space is limited, demand is high, expiration dates are non-negotiable, and the pressure to stay in stock is constant. Add in refrigeration constraints and tight shelf real estate, even minor disruptions in availability can lead to major missed sales and frustrated shoppers.
For retailers and CPG brands, the dairy category requires precision at every level, from inventory and merchandising to execution and replenishment. And to add on, the consumer sentiment for dairy products is often an essential household item, creating a demand with strong loyalty. For brands navigating this fast-moving, temperature-sensitive environment, data and shelf accuracy can make or break performance.
From shelf data to root causes and real fixes
Out-of-stocks rarely happen without warning. The real challenge for CPG brands is catching the signs early, hidden in the depths of retailer data, and understanding why they’re happening.
That’s where Signal-Based Merchandising (SBM), Trax’s real-time shelf availability solution, comes in. Using photo-verified, real-time shelf data, what we call “signals”, SBM empowers brands to not only detect availability issues across thousands of stores, but to uncover the root causes behind them. Whether it’s phantom inventory, low shelf facings, labor shortages, or inconsistent replenishment, Trax helps brands move from signal to solution, fast.
But we don’t stop at diagnosis. We partner with brands to implement lasting fixes that drive impact. That could mean adjusting order minimums with buyers to better align with shelf movement, increasing shelf holding power to reduce out-of-stocks between deliveries, or even deploying supplemental field teams to close execution gaps when internal labor is challenged.
Smarter Deployment, Faster Impact
Let’s get back to the dairy category use case… traditional audits can take weeks, but dairy doesn’t wait. SBM delivers near real-time visibility into shelf execution, allowing brands to prioritize action where it matters most.
Whether it’s flagging high-velocity stores that need more frequent replenishment, or identifying chronic stockout locations that require operational changes, SBM ensures your teams, and your dollars, are deployed with precision.
In some cases, our customers have layered Trax field teams onto existing coverage, providing the flexibility and speed to respond in-store where internal teams couldn’t. This agile, on-demand workforce has helped close critical availability gaps in record time. This was especially evident for our dairy customer, who saw significant decrease in out-of-stocks when they launched SBM in Target.
Smart Spending, Cold Storage, Real Results
The dairy category leaves no room for error or excess. Signal-Based Merchandising helps CPG brands move from blanket retail coverage to targeted, data-driven execution. It’s not about doing more – it’s about doing it smarter.
By turning real-time shelf signals into actionable fixes, whether operational, logistical, or labor-related, Trax helps brands improve product availability, reduce missed sales, and make every store visit count… ultimately driving more sales and happier shoppers.
Because when cold shelves are hotly contested, the brands that win are the ones who can stay in stock, stay visible, and stay ahead.
See a SBM use-case in the dairy category here!
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