The sleigh bells are ringing, snow is gently falling, and shoppers are searching for the perfect gifts. But amidst the holiday cheer, a silent threat lurks on store shelves: Out of Stocks. Like misplaced mistletoe, brands can be oblivious to what's happening around them, missing out on precious sales and jolly moments.

Don't become a stocking filled with coal. Prevent out of stocks before they can steal your holiday thunder:

• The Ghost of Empty Stockings: Customers eagerly approach your product's usual spot, only to find a void on the shelf. Out-of-stock situations are the Grinch of the retail world, stealing smiles and sleighing sales.
• Invisible Among the Sugarplums: Your product gets buried under an avalanche of competitors, lost in a blizzard of brightly colored packaging. Without strategic placement, your unique gem gets lost in the holiday hustle.
• Misdirected Marketing Elves: You spend your marketing budget on a dazzling ad campaign, but it remains unstocked in the holiday hustle. Without insights into actual shelf interactions, your marketing elves might be targeting a dark retail corner instead of cozy living rooms.

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Ho-ho-hold on! There's hope! Embrace the spirit of Buddy the Elf and unlock the secrets of a merry sales season:

• Track Your Stockings: Collaborate with Retail Aware and retailers to gather data on your product's placement, stock levels, and even shopper behavior. This intel is your Rudolph approved map to visibility and success.
• Unwrap the Mystery Shopper Gift: Send undercover elves (aka, mystery shoppers) to gather intel on shelf placement, competitor activity, and how shoppers react to your product. These firsthand observations offer great holiday in-store intel.
• Invest in “Holiday Magic”: Leverage Retail Aware’s On-Shelf Availability analytics tools to track your product's visibility, velocity, and even restocking frequency. This magical tool lets you see the whole winter wonderland of the retail landscape.

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With your newfound shelf insights, you can:

• Negotiate Prime Product Placement: Use data to convince retailers to give your elf the best space on the shelf, ensuring maximum visibility and a rush of sales.
• Outsmart the Humbug of Competition: See when your rivals are making their moves and adjust your strategy accordingly. No more bah-humbug moments for your brand.
• Make your Marketing Magic Merry and Bright: Target your campaigns based on actual shelf locations and shopper behavior, ensuring your message reaches the right stockings.

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The holidays are about spreading cheer, not shelf-induced tears. By embracing the power of data and insights, you can ensure your brand shines brighter than a twinkling tinsel star, bringing joy and merry memories to both customers and your bottom line. So, let it snow, the data flow, and watch your brand have an amazing holiday season!

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Happy Holidays from the Retail Aware team!

Article contributed by Brent Blecha.