Product Availability Is King
According to the 2025 SPAR Consumer Survey, which surveyed more than 1,000 consumers between ages 18 and 64, product availability tops the list of priorities for shoppers considering where to buy. An impressive 74% said it’s the most important factor, and 73% see out-of-stocks as the main deterrent to a good in-store experience.
Mike Matacunas, President and CEO of SPAR Group, Inc., shared, “The first rule of retail is that empty is always wrong. After decades of investment, inventory in-stock, plan-o-gram compliance, and optimal replenishment remain elusive.” He went on, “Retailers and brands pay for data based on point-of-sale transactions as a proxy to monitor inventory velocity, but this information is too late to make a difference. It’s like driving your car, looking in the rear-view mirror.”
This reality brings significant consequences for retailers. Matacunas also pointed out, “This shopper study brings attention to the impact of distorted inventory – disappointed consumers, lost sales, lower margins.”
Technology: Opportunity and Apprehension
Retailers are leaning into technology to help solve inventory and efficiency issues, but shoppers are cautious. The survey reveals that 71% of customers feel uncomfortable or unsure about roaming robots in stores, with women feeling more uneasy than men. However, younger shoppers (18-54) are more open to such technological advancements.
Matacunas explained the retailer perspective, “Digital shelf monitoring is a growing market. Retailers are testing roving robots, stationary cameras, and on-shelf moving field cameras. These promise to capture inventory information to improve plan-o-gram compliance, in-stock integrity, and velocity data.” He emphasized, “Consumers don’t want technology to interfere with the shopping experience. Retailers don’t want cameras on sticks every few feet. Moving field gondola-based cameras are the ‘best mousetrap’ for retailers.”
Technology isn’t all bad; half of shoppers say downloadable coupons and self-checkout encourage them to shop in-store.
Economic Strains, Behavioral Changes
Economic worries are shifting shopper habits as well. Nearly half of those surveyed are very concerned about tariffs, especially the potential impact on grocery prices. Many are planning to seek out more coupons or sales, buy less, or switch brands. Younger shoppers (18–39) are particularly wary, expecting even greater cost increases.
Matacunas warned, “Consumers intend on reducing spend or switching brands as tariffs continue to roll out. The impact of tariffs further amplifies consumers’ frustration with inventory availability. Retailers and brands need to be more proactive, investing in process and technology to improve availability and remain competitive.”
Retailer Preferences and Shopping Habits
From the survey, Walmart leads in in-store experience and app helpfulness, especially among lower-income households, with Target at a distant second and Costco favored by higher-income shoppers. Traditional shopping remains strong, with four out of five consumers preferring to purchase groceries in-store due to the ability to try new products and plan meals. Moreover, 61% of respondents say they expect to shop in stores more often over the next six months.
Mobile app features, such as loyalty rewards and competitive pricing, are increasingly important, with contactless checkout and buy-online-pickup-in-store options standing out for mid-income households.
What Makes A Good In-Store Experience?
The biggest positives for shoppers include speedy checkout, in-store promotions, self-checkout, and coupons. The most common complaints are crowds and a lack of staff.
Mike Matacunas shared, “As the retail landscape evolves, our mission remains the same: to help retailers and brands keep their customers happy, engaged, and coming back.” He continued, “We’re proud to be at the forefront of innovation, delivering the insights and services that drive real results for our partners and the shoppers they serve.”
Overall, the message for retailers is clear: Matacunas concluded, “We need to be bolder as an industry and embrace innovation. Great merchants test and learn.” Success in the current retail landscape relies on balancing technological innovation with a seamless, well-stocked, and customer-friendly shopping experience.
