Retail Audit Services in the Caribbean
Caribbean retail audit is the most systematically underused research tool in the region. Brands accept distributor coverage reports as fact when physical audit consistently reveals distribution gaps of 20-40% between claimed and actual presence (HRG Trade Census, 2025). HRG conducts retail audits across 15+ Caribbean markets, reaching both formal supermarket chains and the informal retail sector that accounts for 30-50% of FMCG volume in most markets.
Caribbean Retail Audit: Key Reference Data
Why Caribbean Retail Audit Is Different from Developed Market Audit
Standard retail audit tools and sampling frames designed for North American or European markets fail in the Caribbean for three reasons. First, the retail universe includes a substantial informal sector: in Jamaica, rum shops and higglers account for approximately 40-50% of fast-moving consumer goods volume (HRG Trade Census, 2025). In the Dominican Republic, the pulperia (small informal neighbourhood store) network is estimated at over 30,000 outlets (HRG Trade Census, 2025). Any audit that covers only formal supermarkets is measuring a minority of the actual market. Second, distribution chains are often multi-tier and opaque: a brand sells to a national distributor who may use sub-distributors for parish or district coverage, and actual retail penetration at the end of this chain is unknown without direct field verification. Third, cold chain reliability varies by outlet type and location, which affects product quality monitoring in categories where temperature integrity matters (dairy, pharmaceuticals, premium beverages).
Caribbean Retail Audit Market Coverage
| Market | Outlet Universe | Key Retail Channels | HRG Audit Capability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamaica | 18,000-22,000 | Hi-Lo, SuperValu, Price Smart, rum shops, higglers | Full universe; formal + informal |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 8,000-10,000 | Massy, X-tra, Cost-U-Less, bar and groceries | Full universe; formal + informal |
| Barbados | 2,500-3,000 | Massy, Super Centre, smaller groceries | Full formal; informal sample |
| Dominican Republic | 50,000+ | Supermercados, colmados (corner stores) | Urban formal; informal sample |
| Guyana | 3,000-5,000 | Guymart, small groceries, roadside vendors | Georgetown + selected regions |
| Bahamas | 1,500-2,000 | Super Value, City Markets, smaller stores | New Providence + Grand Bahama |
| Eastern Caribbean (each) | 500-2,000 | Local supermarkets, groceries, rum shops | Full formal per island |
What HRG Measures in Each Caribbean Retail Audit
HRG's Caribbean retail audit captures seven standard data points per outlet visit: numeric distribution (is the product physically present?), weighted distribution (adjusted for outlet sales volume tier), out-of-stock rate (present but not available), shelf share (facing share versus category competitors), recommended retail price compliance (is the product sold at the RRP?), display compliance (POS material presence and planogram adherence), and stock depth (estimated weeks of cover based on visible inventory). All data is collected via CAPI tablets with GPS verification and mandatory photographic evidence for pricing, display, and shelf presence.
Free Caribbean Market Assessment
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