How Haleon Reduced Out-of-stocks with Real Time Shelf Stocking Solutions  

Retail Data, Recalibrated: Getting Closer to the Truth on Shelf 

At Analytics Unite, we explored a critical issue facing brands, companies, and retailers today: the disconnect between what retail data says is happening and the reality on the shelf. With the overwhelming amount of data available, it’s not a lack of data that’s the problem — it’s clarity and actionable insights from that data.

Data says one thing. Store reality says another. 

Have you ever received an inventory management report claiming your product is perfectly in stock, yet sales won’t budge? Or seen an out-of-stock (OOS) alert despite strong inventory levels and recent deliveries? This disconnect between inventory tracking systems and real-time shelf inventory is costing brands significant profitability.

Trax analysis shows:

• Only 40% of planned promotions execute with correct pricing and planogram compliance
• 28% of sales are lost due to poor display execution and out-of-stock items
• Globally, just 70% of products are available on shelf—leaving 3 out of 10 shoppers unable to find what they want
• Only 1 in 4 store conditions align with HQ’s intended planogram

Haleon: Getting to the Root of OOS with Digital Shelf Data

Haleon leveraged Trax’s AI-powered inventory management solution to optimize workflows and better understand the root causes of out-of-stock issues across a specific retailer. Though receiving retailer data, it didn’t reflect what Haleon saw in real-time shelf stocking and inventory levels, limiting their ability to act.

By combining real-time shelf monitoring via computer vision, data from shoppers through Shopkick, and field merchandisers’ insights, Haleon moved from assumptions to actionable insights. This real-time data and real-time tracking allowed the team to identify critical inventory management challenges such as:

• Phantom or excess inventory leading to overstocking
• Demand forecasting inaccuracies causing sudden customer demand spikes
• Distribution gaps and supply chain disruptions
• Labor constraints impacting timely restocking and replenishment
• Low facings and locked box conditions affecting shelf visibility

With this new layer of visibility and automation, Haleon not only diagnosed problems but partnered with retailers to implement corrective actions that led to:

• Incremental sales lift in key categories through optimized shelf stocking and price tags
• Streamlined workflows enhancing operational efficiency and reducing time-consuming manual checks
• Data-driven discussions with retail buyers to improve supply chain coordination and inventory control
• Long-term lifecycle management improvements, including planogram revisions and smarter shelf inventory management to prevent future shortages and out-of-stock items

More Data Isn’t the Answer — The Right Data Is

CPG companies are adopting machine learning and automation to transform how they manage real-time inventory and shelf stocking, but many remain overwhelmed by sheer data volume. According to industry research, over 70% of CPG leaders have adopted AI solutions in at least one business area, highlighting the growing importance of smart shelves and digital shelf analytics.

What brands need are sharper insights across platforms—from KPIs to inventory tracking—to optimize merchandising, streamline supply chain operations, and improve customer satisfaction by ensuring product availability.

Want to see what Signal-Based Merchandising can do for your business?

Let’s talk. The truth is on the shelf — and we’ll help you find it with scalable, end-to-end inventory management solutions that reduce lost sales and drive cost savings.