Everyone wants to be “data-driven.” Most retailers already have dashboards, BI tools, and reports. Yet, many still struggle to turn that data into better decisions. Why? Because technology doesn’t drive change — people do.

The goal isn’t just to increase turns—it’s to find the optimal balance. A ratio that’s too high might signal stockouts and lost sales, while one that’s too low may indicate overstocking and higher shrink.

Today, we have a wealth of information at our fingertips to help understand both product and customer behavior. Identifying the most relevant data and uncovering the insights it provides is key.

My Retail in Detail partner and merchandising/analytics expert, Mark Yates, wrote last week about arming yourself with a merchandising plan after dissecting your analytics. So, now, you’re at a pivotal point in your retail strategy—transitioning from gathering analytics to activating them through a marketing plan that works in harmony with your merchandising efforts.