The difference between RMNs that succeed and those that stall will come down to one thing: execution excellence. Clean data. Accurate shelves. Seamless attribution. Scalable operations. Without these, the most sophisticated digital platforms fail the moment a shopper walks into the store.” 

Retail Media Networks (RMNs) are the fastest-growing advertising channel in retail. With spend projected to exceed $100 billion by 2026, they are reshaping how brands connect with shoppers and how retailers monetize their assets.

But the promise of retail media comes with a challenge. Advertisers are asking tougher questions. They want more than impressions and clicks. They want proof that campaigns lead to real-world results.

The difference between RMNs that succeed and those that stall will come down to one thing: execution excellence. Clean data. Accurate shelves. Seamless attribution. Scalable operations. Without these, the most sophisticated digital platforms fail the moment a shopper walks into the store.

Every Retail Media Network runs on data. Yet too often, that foundation is shaky. Research shows that up to 60% of inventory records are inaccurate, creating $400 billion in lost revenue annually for the retail industry (RELEX). For individual retailers, the cost is 1–3% of lost sales. Add to that the reality that 40% of lost sales come from stockouts as shoppers defect to competitors (Firework), and the issue becomes impossible to ignore.

For RMNs, this is not just a supply chain problem. It is an advertising credibility problem. Running campaigns for products that are out of stock wastes marketing dollars and frustrates both customers and advertisers.

Real-time, shelf-level visibility transforms the equation. With reliable inventory accuracy, retailers can guarantee that advertised products are available, protecting brand trust and shopper satisfaction at the same time.

Brand partners invest millions in retail media advertising. Their expectation is simple: that the products they advertise are visible, properly merchandised, and easy for shoppers to find.

But planogram compliance often lags behind. A shopper sees an ad, arrives at the store, and finds the product missing, misplaced, or poorly positioned. The disconnect causes conversion rates to fall and raises doubts about the value of the advertising investment.

Perfect planogram compliance is not cosmetic. It is strategic. Continuous shelf monitoring that verifies displays, detects errors, and alerts associates in real time ensures the physical store delivers on the digital promise. When compliance is guaranteed, everyone wins. Shoppers have a seamless experience. Brands see a stronger return on spend. Retailers position their networks as premium advertising platforms.

For advertisers, the holy grail of retail media is attribution. They want to know: did my ad drive an in-store sale?
Traditional attribution models struggle to answer this. They measure clicks and visits but often miss the in-store moment of truth. If a shopper clicks an ad but cannot find the product in-store, the campaign gets credit even though the sale goes to a competitor.

The ability to combine continuous shelf monitoring with campaign data changes the conversation. Imagine reporting: “Your breakfast cereal ad generated 847 store visits, resulted in 623 purchases, and maintained 94% shelf availability throughout the campaign.”

That level of transparency builds confidence, supports premium CPMs, and positions the network as a true performance partner, not just an impression seller.

Accurate shelf data flows back to corporate systems. That gives Merchandising, Supply Chain, and Finance teams a clearer view of what’s really happening in stores, which leads to better decisions and fewerAs RMNs expand, the complexity of execution multiplies. More advertisers. More campaigns. More SKUs to monitor. More promises to keep. Operations teams, however, rarely grow at the same pace.

The math simply does not add up. Fifty brand partners can run simultaneous campaigns across hundreds of stores, each requiring accurate placement and availability. Without automation, teams are stretched thin and campaigns underperform.

The solution is scalable automation. Continuous monitoring of advertised SKUs, real-time risk alerts, and automated compliance reporting enable RMNs to expand revenue streams without ballooning labor costs. Growth becomes not only possible but sustainable. surprises.

With retail media spend surging, competition is fierce. Every retailer with shopper traffic and first-party data is building a network. But not all will thrive.

Premium advertisers want guarantees:

• Confidence that promoted products are on the shelf
• Proof that shelves match campaign promises
• Real-time visibility into execution
• Opportunities for data-driven optimization

Networks that can provide this level of performance capture a disproportionate share of spend. With 99.5% execution accuracy and real-time dashboards, RMNs can transform from ad sellers into platforms of record for performance-driven brands.

Execution excellence is no longer optional. It is the differentiator that separates the winners from the rest.

The future of retail media will not be decided by who has the largest digital audience or the slickest platform. It will be decided in the aisles, where shoppers either find what they expect or walk away disappointed.

Badger Technologies’ next-generation digital teammates deliver the real-time accuracy, compliance, and scalability needed to close the gap between digital promise and in-store reality. They empower Retail Media Networks to provide the one thing advertisers want most: proof.

Execution is not just an operational concern. It is the new currency of competition in retail media. And it will determine which networks win in a $100 billion marketplace.