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Retail Media Networks Growing Pains (and How to Navigate Them)

Ola El-Sharkawy
February 13, 2025
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The appeal of Retail media networks lies in their ability to leverage customer insights to create highly targeted and engaging advertising campaigns. By integrating ads directly into the shopping journey, retailers can drive revenue, enhance customer experiences, and deepen partnerships with brands. 

Despite RMNs potential, several hurdles still hinder retailers from successfully building a retail media network. Below, we explore both the challenges and opportunities associated with this innovative advertising model.

Here are some of these hurdles:

  1. Lack of RMN Awareness 
    1. Despite the growing impacts of  RMNs, there are still small to medium-sized companies that don't have the knowledge on how they can make profit out of it. Missing out on these networks can result in a failure to stay competitive in an increasingly data-driven market, ultimately hindering growth and customer engagement.
  2. Entry Barrier
    1. While retail media networks (RMNs) present an attractive opportunity for retailers to diversify revenue streams and strengthen brand partnerships, smaller and mid-sized retailers often face significant obstacles in establishing and scaling their own RMNs. Despite a strong desire to capitalize on their first-party data and create personalized advertising experiences, these companies encounter challenges stemming from limited infrastructure, technical expertise, and financial constraints for the CapEX.
  3. Customers-Privacy Concerns
    1. During our meetings with our customers, we found out that retailers are afraid of the use of customer data for advertising purposes. Although it has become a cornerstone of modern retail strategies. However, it also raises significant privacy concerns among consumers. As retailers strive to create personalized experience, they must navigate the fine line between offering value and respecting customer privacy. Advertising and marketing messages, no matter how relevant, may make customers feel like their data has been sold or collected without their permission. Which makes retailers more concerned and hesitant to have their own retail media network.
    2. The Truth Is While retailers may have easy access to a wealth of data, it doesn't mean they can freely use it for marketing or advertising purposes. As many marketers and brands have learned in a privacy-centric business and regulatory landscape, collecting and sharing customer data for any reason can be risky if not handled correctly.
  4. Lack of technical expertise 
    1. Lack of technical expertise in RMNs creates barriers to fully utilizing the potential of these platforms, by utilizing these platforms in the best way with the help of the world’s smartest in-store media network, retailers can guarantee ROI and unlocking new revenue streams along with the satisfaction of the brands which will lead directly to an increase in the Ad Revenues. 

This is where Intouch.com becomes a game-changer. By offering tailored, AI-powered solutions and robust business case support, Intouch.com equips retailers with the resources needed to launch and scale effective RMNs. 

In an increasingly privacy-first business, regulatory environments and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We prioritise shopper privacy. As a GDPR-compliant company, we've engineered our products to minimise data collection. Our cutting-edge computer vision technology leverages EDGE computing, ensuring that video data is processed and erased locally at your store without ever being transmitted to the cloud, this commitment to privacy safeguards shopper information while providing valuable insights.

Unlock the power of Retail Media Networks today—secure your customer data while maximizing its potential. Get started now!

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