Most Retailers Are Using the Wrong Tools to Manage Their Products and Content

Why It Matters

Inconsistent product content erodes consumer trust and sales, so a unified, product‑focused DAM directly boosts revenue and operational efficiency for retailers.

Key Takeaways

• 88% struggle with product info consistency across channels
• 78% rely on two or more disconnected solutions
• Traditional DAMs aren’t optimized for product‑centric asset grouping
• Product‑first DAMs can increase content ROI by over 4x
• Spreadsheets and PIMs miss integrated visual asset workflows

Pulse Analysis

Retailers today face a fragmented tech stack that hampers the delivery of accurate, compelling product stories. While spreadsheets offer low‑cost simplicity, they quickly become error‑prone as SKU counts rise. Conventional Product Information Management (PIM) systems excel at data hygiene but lack the creative workflow capabilities marketers need to manage images, videos, and marketing assets. This disconnect forces teams into manual workarounds, slowing time‑to‑market and increasing the risk of inconsistent brand experiences across e‑commerce, social, and marketplace channels.

A product‑first Digital Asset Management (DAM) platform bridges the gap by marrying product data with rich media in a single, searchable interface. By presenting assets "by product," retailers can view pricing, sizing, regional details, and associated visuals together, eliminating the need to cross‑reference multiple systems. Integrated publishing tools further streamline distribution, automatically adapting assets to the specifications of platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and Instagram. This unified approach reduces manual effort, cuts operational costs, and ensures that every channel displays the same accurate, on‑brand product narrative.

The business impact is measurable. Canto’s research shows retailers with fully connected DAM and product information are over four times more likely to report significant improvements in content ROI, jumping from 13% to 56% adoption of best‑in‑class practices. For mid‑size retailers managing hundreds to thousands of SKUs, a product‑centric DAM delivers roughly 80% of the functionality they need without the overhead of a full‑scale PIM. The result is faster product launches, higher conversion rates, and stronger brand trust—critical advantages in a market where consumer expectations are sky‑high and competition is relentless.