What is Scarcity Messaging?
Scarcity messaging informs shoppers that the product they are looking at is low in stock. Examples of this kind of messaging include:
“In Demand. Only 1 available in this size” OR
“Only 3 available in stock”
How does scarcity messaging work?
Using real-time stock-level data, social proof messaging can be triggered when stock levels drop below a certain threshold. Whatever a retailer sets the threshold at, it is important that this stock-level data is accurate in order to be trustworthy to potential shoppers. Therefore retailers should only use real-time stock levels when deploying scarcity messaging.
Retailers should also be selective about how they use scarcity messaging so as to not pressure customers. Responsible use of scarcity messaging informs customers so they can avoid disappointment.
