Out of Stock, Out of Loyalty — Chain Store Age

Photo from Sara Oliveira
on Unsplash

Stockouts are increasingly undermining customer loyalty, with new data showing that frequent inventory gaps are pushing shoppers to switch brands and retailers.

Key Takeaways

  • High risk to loyalty: 82% of consumers would try a competitor due to stockouts, and 62% have already switched brands.

  • Common and disruptive issue: Shoppers encounter stockouts multiple times per year online, often leading them to purchase from another retailer or temporarily switch brands.

  • Category and brand impact varies: Grocery sees the most stockouts overall, while fashion and beauty generate the highest complaint rates.