Survey: Shoppers say out-of-stocks are top ‘barrier’ to in-store experience
Product availability is top-of-mind for in-store shoppers.
Three-quarters (74%) of respondents cite product availability as their top priority when choosing to shop in-store, according to a new consumer survey from SPAR Group Inc. At the same time, 73% of shoppers identify out-of-stocks as a leading barrier to the in-store experience, which SPAR says underscores the “critical need” for retailers to maintain well-stocked shelves.
The survey found that speedy checkout, in-store promotions, self-checkout options and coupons are top contributors to a positive experience. Crowds and lack of staff remain significant pain points for shoppers.
In other findings, 61% of respondents expect to shop more in stores over the next six months. Half of shoppers say downloadable coupons and self-checkout encourage them to shop in-store more frequently.
[READ MORE: Survey: Consumers value in-store experience; still making unplanned purchases]
“The first rule of retail is that empty is always wrong,” said Mike Matacunas, president and CEO of SPAR Group. “After decades of investment, inventory in-stock, plan-o-gram compliance and optimal replenishment remains elusive. Retailers and brands pay for data based on point-of-sale transactions as a proxy to monitoring inventory velocity, but this information is too late to make a difference. It’s like driving your car looking in the rear-view mirror.”
Four-in-five shoppers prefer to purchase groceries in-store, driven by the ability to try products, discover new items and plan meals. Mobile apps are especially helpful for households earning $100K–$200K, according to the survey, while contactless checkout and buy-online, pickup-in-store options appeal to those in the $40K–$50K range.
Additional highlights from the SPAR survey include the following:
•Walmart continues to lead in in-store experience and app helpfulness, especially among lower-income households. Target remains a distant second, while higher-income shoppers ($90K+) show a preference for Costco.
•Nearly half of shoppers are very concerned about tariffs, particularly regarding grocery prices.
•Roughly seven-in-10 (71%) shoppers are uncomfortable or unsure with the idea of roaming robots in stores, with women expressing more discomfort than men. Younger shoppers (ages 18-54) are more open to roaming robots than older demographics.
SPAR Group fielded a survey in June 2025 through a third-party research firm with more than 1,000 consumers between the ages of 18 and 64. Respondents were screened to be the primary or secondary shopper in their households.
