Inventory issues were among the top challenges UK retailers face within the store in 2025, a recent report has shown.
According to the latest research from Pricer, the partner for in-store communication and digitalisation, inventory availability was the top in-store challenge retailers are looking to address this year (36 per cent), while a further 34 per cent will also focus their efforts in improving inventory accuracy.
This was followed by trying to address the rising costs of rents (35 per cent) as well as improving in-store conversion (31 per cent) and engagement (29 per cent) rates.
Inventory issues continue to plague customer experience in-store, with out of stocks remaining a major bugbear for shoppers.
Original research of over 1,000 UK shoppers polled by Pricer showed that now typically consumers find almost a fifth (18 per cent) of the items in their weekly food shop unavailable on shelf when they shop in-store, rising +1 percentage point year-on-year. And, according to further Retail Insight research, 82 per cent of shoppers have reported experiencing stockouts.
Earlier this year, Pricer announced its strategic collaboration withFocal Systems, which brings together Pricer’s digital shelf-edge solutions and Focal Systems’ advanced computer vision to improve product availability for retailers, as well as enhancing operational efficiencies and shopper satisfaction.
With rising National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and National Living Wage (NLW) from the October Budget, which came into effect in April, UK retailers face a £5.6 billion surge in costs this financial year.
This is prompting many to search for efficiencies to mitigate against the impact of these levies on their businesses. Over a quarter of retailers (28 per cent) polled by Pricer now want to address store operating costs due to the rising cost of labour, while a further 36 per cent say they are facing greater pressure to save on labour hours or find productivity gains due to rising cost of wages.
Peter Ward, UK Country Manager at Pricer, commented, “Retailers are having to navigate the complexities of rising operational costs, shifting consumer demands and labour shortages.
"And this, up against a barrage of disruption, means many are turning towards innovation and automation to remain competitive and boost productivity, while maintaining customer experiences – not an easy circle to square.”
“By digital connecting the shelf-edge, retailers can automate and streamline key store operations, such as pricing updates, inventory availability and e-commerce picking, while also delivering customer engagement opportunities at the shelf edge and freeing staff to serve,” Ward concluded.
