Key Takeaways
- Gain a major edge by using advanced AI and image recognition to catch shelf mistakes faster than competitors.
- Implement smart tracking systems to organize field representatives and cut down on travel time, greatly boosting their productive hours.
- Partner with specialists to ensure every store reflects the intended brand strategy, which builds trust and a consistent customer experience.
- Realize that top retail success now depends on technology that shifts from fixing problems to actively preventing them from happening.
Your product’s success depends on how often it reaches shoppers’ baskets.
Without effective retail execution and optimization, strategies developed at headquarters may fail to materialize in-store. Competitors crowd the shelves, and when implementation falls short, your campaign spending fails to deliver the intended results.
To prevent this, more companies are turning to specialized shop-floor rollout partners. These providers combine field services, mobile-first platforms and advanced analytics to ensure products are on the right shelf at the right time and presented as intended to deliver measurable value.
What Is Retail Execution and Optimization?
Retail execution is the operational side of bringing your brand strategy to life in outlets. It covers tasks like putting merchandise in the right spot on the shelf, setting up displays, checking promotions and ensuring stores follow agreed layouts.
Retail optimization takes it a step further by utilizing information and technology to enhance those processes. It involves tracking sales data, forecasting demand and using tools that help teams make quicker, smarter decisions.
The main elements are:
- Reviewing shelves and displays to confirm products are stocked and shown correctly
- Organizing and tracking field representatives and their store routes
- Looking at sales data to see what is working
- Using dashboards that show store performance in real time
Today, much of this work relies on technology. Artificial intelligence predicts when items will run out, automation tools alert managers when displays are wrong and mobile apps guide reps through shop visits. These tools shift execution from simply reacting to problems to preventing them, protecting your sales and customer satisfaction.
The Benefits of Working With a Dedicated Retail Execution and Optimization Company
When you work with a specialist in market implementation, you remove bottlenecks that limit performance.
- Better shelf presence: Teams keep goods in stock, set up displays correctly and ensure promotions reach shoppers.
- Increased sales: Adjusting item proximity and layout in shelving design can enhance profits in specific product categories.
- Smarter decisions: Instead of relying on delayed or incomplete reports, you get real-time updates on stock levels, competitor moves and campaign results.
- Lower costs: Automated tools reduce manual reporting, make field reps more productive and reduce wasted hours.
- Room to grow: Whether you are a new brand with products in 200 stores or a global player in 20,000 outlets, these solutions adjust to fit your needs.
These proven advantages explain why businesses across sectors invest in retail implementation services.
Who Offers the Best Retail Execution and Optimization Services? 5 Top Picks of 2025
Here are the industry’s most in-demand vendors to give your brands a competitive shelf advantage.
1. Driveline Retail — Best Overall Value
Driveline Retail offers the best value for retail execution and optimization services. Founded in 1999, it has since grown into one of the most recognized names and become the long-standing partner of major merchants like Target, Circle K and Lowe’s, as well as niche and regional chains.
The company combines smart technology with on-the-ground personnel. Its Smart PMX system checks shop-floor execution through image recognition and human review, so mistakes are caught early and corrected quickly. With more than 15,000 trained staff working across all 50 states, Driveline gives brands the confidence that every store gets the same level of attention.
Its ability to provide end-to-end solutions makes it a versatile choice for brands of all sizes. Key offerings include in-store merchandising, automated LiDAR mapping, large-scale remodels and installations, custom fulfillment, AI-driven retail implementation, and consulting. These services are backed with data, so clients feel and see the results — shelves stay stocked, promotions get set up on time and compliance improves. These changes translate into fewer missed sales and more substantial returns on investment.
Key Features
- Nationwide reach
- Smart tech
- End-to-end solutions
- Proven ROI
2. Accenture — Best for Large Enterprises
Accenture is built to match the scale and complexity of global retailers. Founded in 1989 as a technology and management consultancy, it has evolved into a Fortune Global 500 company with over 700,000 professionals working in over 120 countries. That reach alone makes it uniquely suited to serve large enterprises that operate across multiple regions and markets.
Its Cloud Retail Execution and Trade Promotion Management platforms are for exporters and distributors that need consistent performance across thousands of outlets. By connecting in-store execution with promotional planning, Accenture provides businesses with a clear view of product availability and campaign results. This means fewer empty shelves, faster problem-solving and marketing efforts that actually boost sales.
Beyond shop-floor implementation, Accenture also brings the weight of its broader consulting, digital and operations practices. For merchants balancing scale with agility, Accenture offers teams that ramp up quickly, local support across continents and proven partnerships with major technology providers like Microsoft and Salesforce.
Key Features
- Global scale
- United platform
- Strategic expertise
- Trusted partnerships
3. Repsly — Best for Small and Midsize Businesses
Repsly is built for growing brands that need powerful tools without the heavy costs or complexity of enterprise systems. Founded in 2010, it has become one of the most trusted shop-floor execution platforms worldwide, powering field teams in over 80 countries and trusted by brands like Mattel, Dyson, KraftHeinz, Keurig Dr Pepper and Royal Canin.
What sets Repsly apart is its balance of simplicity and impact. Field reps use a mobile app to track store visits, take shelf photos and log orders. At the same time, managers get real-time dashboards on product availability, promotion execution and competitor activity. With AI image recognition, shelf photos turn into insights in under a minute, which cuts audit times by up to 50% and makes it easier to spot stockouts or display issues before they hurt sales.
Repsly helps small and midsized businesses replace manual processes like scheduling visits, streamlining routes, collecting data and tracking performance with more innovative digital tools. The platform scales as you grow, making it just as valuable for a brand entering a hundred stores as it is for one managing thousands. For small and midsize businesses that want clear visibility, stronger sales and easy-to-use tools, Repsly delivers the best overall fit.
Key Features
- Simple tools
- Smarter workflows
- Fast insights
- Scalable growth
4. InfiViz — Best for Data and Analytics
InfiViz, founded in 2015 and recently acquired by Google Cloud, has become a go-to platform for retailers and consumer goods brands that want deeper visibility into shop performance. Built on advanced image recognition and AI, InfiViz uses shelf photos to help brands identify and resolve problems quickly, driving per-store sales growth.
What sets InfiViz apart is its precision and speed. Photos are processed in under a minute, giving field reps instant alerts on stockouts, misplaced items or missed promotions. Accuracy runs at 97%, supported by biweekly quality checks, so managers trust the data they receive.
InfiViz’s offline capabilities let reps capture and upload photos even with poor connectivity. Features like planogram compliance, competitor tracking and promotion monitoring are built into easy-to-use dashboards, so decision-makers see where execution is slipping and how to correct it. Trusted by global giants like Unilever, P&G and Samsung, InfiViz is the analytics powerhouse of retail execution. It delivers real-time, actionable intelligence at scale, making it the top choice for brands that want to replace guesswork with measurable growth.
Key Features
- Real-time accuracy
- Smart dashboards
- Faster fixes
- Global scalability
5. SPOTIO — Best for Field Team Management
Founded in 2014, SPOTIO provides sales representatives with the tools to be more productive in the field, while giving managers the visibility they typically lack. It has grown into the leading field sales engagement system, helping staff execute smarter, faster and more effectively.
SPOTIO’s mobile-first platform eliminates guesswork and manual reporting by automating repetitive tasks. Its route and territory governance tools reduce travel time, cut out overlap, and ensure every location or prospect is adequately covered. Real-time tracking and activity logs give executives visibility into what is happening on the ground, while automation features, like task management and document access, free up reps to focus on high-value activities. The result is a proven boost in productivity of up to 46%.
The company also provides performance insights that keep teams aligned and accountable. Its dashboards, leaderboards and seamless integrations with customer relationship management (CRM) software, like Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics and SAP make connecting field activity with overall business goals easy. Whether supporting small crews or scaling to a global field force, SPOTIO helps companies simplify field operations and maximize the impact of every rep.
Key Features
- Mobile-first productivity
- Real-time visibility
- Smarter route and territory management
- CRM software integration
Methodology for Choosing the Best Companies
These criteria represent a well-rounded balance of the five most important factors any brand should consider before selecting a provider.
| Track record | Verified industry recognition, customer feedback and case studies |
| Pricing and value | Affordability to maximize ROI potential |
| Features and capabilities | Technology, reporting tools, AI-based automation, integrations and user-friendliness |
| Customer support | Responsiveness, onboarding and ongoing support |
| Scalability | Ability to serve both small and large enterprises across multiple industries |
Shelf Success Starts With Strategic Partnership
Retail execution and optimization directly influence whether your strategies translate into sales. Companies today are looking for partners that go beyond keeping shelves stocked. Every aspect of implementation is now an opportunity to maximize sales. Choosing a partner that delivers the most value helps you make the most of your investments.
The best provider is also the one who meets you where you are and aligns with your business needs. The right choice depends on your size, budget and operational challenges. By partnering wisely, you ensure products are where customers expect them, promotions deliver returns and your brand remains competitive on every shelf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between retail execution and retail optimization?
Retail execution is the actual work of getting your brand’s plan into the store. This means stocking shelves correctly and setting up displays. Retail optimization then uses data and technology to make those in-store tasks smarter and more efficient.
Why is having a good “shelf presence” so important for product success?
A good shelf presence means your product is fully stocked, easy to find, and displayed correctly. If customers cannot find your item or the display is wrong, your sales will suffer. Effective execution ensures customers see your product at the right moment.
How does technology like AI and mobile apps help with retail execution?
Technology makes the process faster and more accurate. Artificial intelligence can predict when a product will run out on a shelf. Mobile apps guide field teams and give managers real-time alerts if a display is set up wrong, preventing lost sales.
Is it true that retail execution is only a problem for large, global companies?
That is a common misconception. All brands, regardless of size, need strong retail execution. A small, growing company in 200 stores has just as much need for organized teams and clear data as a global player in 20,000 stores.
What measurable benefits can a company expect from using a specialized service like Driveline Retail?
Companies working with specialists see increased sales and lower operating costs. Better service leads to fewer missed sales opportunities and a higher return on investment for marketing campaigns. Tools like smart technology ensure every store gets consistent attention.
What are the main signs that a business needs a retail execution partner?
If you frequently see out-of-stock items, wrong display setups, or are relying on old or incomplete reports, you likely need a partner. A specialist brings real-time insights and field management tools to fix these bottlenecks quickly.
How does a service like Repsly make things easier for growing businesses?
Repsly focuses on simple, powerful tools that are easy to use without high costs or complexity. Field reps can use a mobile app to track visits, and managers get instant dashboards. This helps small to midsize businesses replace manual work with smart digital processes.
Beyond stocking shelves, what is another key task that field teams manage?
Another vital task for field representatives is checking on competitor moves and ensuring promotion compliance. They look for what rivals are doing and make sure your special offers or sales signs are correctly placed and visible to shoppers.
What role does data and analytics, like from InfiViz, play in correcting shop-floor problems?
Data and analytics provide the precision needed to find problems fast. Services like InfiViz use image recognition to process shelf photos in a minute. This data instantly alerts managers to stockouts or misplaced items so they can be fixed immediately.
What is the most practical first step a company should take when improving its shelf-level performance?
The most practical first step is to gain clear visibility into your stores. You need to know what is actually happening with stock levels and displays in real time. Start by finding a partner whose tools give you accurate, real-time data on your current performance.
