10. Retail Horror Stories: Don't Kill Your Brand

10. If shoppers can't find your product, they will buy your competitor's—and you may never get them back. Retail doesn't forgive execution mistakes. In this Halloween-themed episode, I share real-life retail horror stories—from products that didn't fit on shelves, to packaging that fell over, to out-of-stocks mistaken for slow sales, to brands biting off more distribution than they could support. I unpack the costly consequences of poor assortment strategy, weak promotional planning, and letting retailers choose the wrong SKUs to build your foundation. You'll learn why consumers blame the brand—not the distributor, broker, or stock clerk—when shelves are empty. We discuss why your top SKUs must anchor every store, how to prevent out-of-stocks before promotions, why buying shelf space can backfire, and how to defend your placement with fact-based insights. If you want to avoid costly retail mistakes and build sustainable growth, this episode is essential. Strengthen your retail execution strategy today. Then explore additional episodes to deepen your selling story and competitive advantage. Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session10