Data accuracy is a concern for supply chain managers, as there is a gap which is leaving managers unable to find the visibility and insights from data that are necessary to have confidence in their supply chain. This is the conclusion of a survey, Supply Chain Integrity Outlook 2025, from Impinj, Inc.
Despite the fact that 91% of supply chain managers believe they are equipped to drive accurate supply chain visibility, the reality is that only a third (33%) consistently obtain accurate, real-time inventory data, the report notes. The data gap hinders key challenges including counterfeit goods, shrink and theft, misload and delivery errors, meeting sustainability requirements, and effectively implementing AI within their organization’s supply chain.
Counterfeit goods in retail: 65% of supply chain managers agree it’s a challenge for their organization to reduce the amount of counterfeit goods entering the supply chain. Almost all (98%) retail supply managers are taking measures to combat counterfeiting. Implementing new technologies for authentication of goods in transit (44%), for general goods verification (42%), and introducing more authentication checkpoints throughout the supply chain (40%) are the key actions retailers are taking to combat counterfeiting.
Shrink and theft in retail: 60% of retail supply chain managers surveyed also agree that reducing rates of shrink and theft is a challenge for their organization, with an overwhelming majority (99%) investing in measures to mitigate these concerns. Increasing security checkpoints during transit and delivery (48%) and implementing new technologies for tracking goods (41%) are the top measures retailers are taking to minimize the impact of shrink and theft.
Shrink in the food, grocery, and restaurant sector: The issue of shrink becomes even more pronounced within the food, grocery, and restaurant sector where 82% of supply chain managers report challenges reducing shrink. Shoplifting (45%), food spoilage (37%), and food waste (35%) are the top causes of shrink reported by supply chain managers in the food industry. Implementing new technologies for shopfloor surveillance (45%), tracking goods (44%), and reducing food waste (44%) are key measures organizations in food, grocery, and restaurants are taking to decrease shrink.
Reducing misloads and delivery errors in transportation and logistics: Almost three quarters (74%) of surveyed supply chain managers within transportation and logistics firms are concerned about growing volumes of load planning problems (LPPs), misloads, and delivery errors impacting their organization. Survey respondents revealed that the largest volume of errors is most likely to occur as a result of delivery and last-mile misloads (24%) and label inaccuracies (22%). Almost half (48%) of transportation and logistics firms plan to invest in improving shipment accuracy and reducing delivery errors as a critical part of their sustainability efforts.
Issues with Implementing AI
Effective AI strategies are built on accurate data, yet the report reveals that data accuracy is the top challenge supply chain managers face (43%) in effectively implementing AI to improve their organization’s supply chain, alongside data availability (39%) and access to real-time data (36%). Overcoming these challenges will be essential for unlocking the full potential of AI across supply chain networks.
"Supply chain managers continue to face data blind spots that prevent them from ensuring secure, reliable, and adaptable supply chains," said Impinj Chief Revenue Officer Jeff Dossett, in a statement. "It’s essential that organizations address the data accuracy gap by putting technology in place to surface accurate data that fuels the real-time, actionable insights and visibility needed to ensure supply chain resilience."
