Moving the Needle on MAP: Shrinking the Size of the Problem

Why Measuring the Problem Itself Matters

As you already know, MAP enforcement exists to solve a problem: pricing violations that harm brand equity, retailer relationships, and consumer trust. If those violations persist - or simply shift to different sellers or channels - what has your program truly accomplished? In our initial conversations with potential customers, there are three phrases we hear most: "We're busy, we can't even look at another provider right now." "We're already sending notices," or "We've got a provider" / "We're all set" But what we don't hear as often is: "We've reduced the non-compliance rate of our MAP problem by 40% in the last quarter." "We've renegotiated terms with key resellers based on their MAP compliance, leading to more revenue and increased profits. " "We've converted [N] grey market sellers into valuable partners and have tightened our distribution channels, seeing a decrease in leakage." That's the kind of progress brands should aim for, and - when speaking to executives within the company - that's the conversation that world-class enforcement teams are having.

KPIs That Indicate

You're Moving the Needle

As a company with more than 30 collective years in the MAP space, we understand that it's easier to focus on activity and a team's "busy rate" than it is to pause, take a step back (read: come up for air), and review the collective progress of the team. To shift from reactive enforcement to problem resolution, we recommend you start to track these metrics over time: The "Whales:" Who are the biggest offenders over a 3/6/12 month horizon, and what is the impact on revenue? Violation Reduction Rate: Are you seeing fewer infractions from key violators month over month?

Time to Resolution

How long does it take from violation detection to a corrected price? Repeat Offender Volume: Are the same sellers resurfacing, or is your resolution lasting? Sellers vs. Infringement Rate: Are you uncovering more issues simply because you new sellers are appearing daily, or is there a trend in the market that is impacting your business? Coverage vs. Progress: Are you seeing the actual infringement rate decreasing, or has your available listings and infringements decreased due to retailers blocking your provider's scraping efforts? Retailer Engagement: Are your retail partners responding favorably to your overall enforcement efforts, or are they divisive in nature and doing more harm than good? Tracking these KPIs quarterly (at a minimum) - and with the right stakeholders - provides a clear picture of whether your efforts are strategic or just spinning wheels. Start by Asking the Right Questions Great MAP programs start with curiosity, not just compliance. To diagnose the root of the problem and prioritize efforts effectively, start by asking the following questions: Why do we think this is happening in the first place? Are certain retailers or channels more prone to violations? Do market dynamics, demand, or sales velocity demand that we take another look at our pricing? Do our seller agreements or policies clearly define who is authorized to sell, and where? Are our response times consistent across violators, or do we play favorites? Have we given our MAP team the tools and support they need to act decisively? What would "success" look like this quarter — fewer notices, or fewer problems to notice?

Strategy Before Activity

Brands often fall into the trap of simply checking a box without asking whether the data and numbers show meaningful progress. Of course, enforcement activity is necessary, but it's only part of the picture. The real question: Is your MAP program changing seller behavior, improving pricing consistency, and impacting the overall business in measurable ways? If not, you're likely stuck in the loop of reaction over resolution - and that's where strategy must step in. Final Thoughts A well-run MAP program doesn't just chase violations - it systematically reduces them. That means tracking not just what you're doing, but what's changing. And if nothing's changing? It may be time to rethink the "success" you're measuring. At Omnitok, we help brands track what matters: not just compliance, but measurable business results. Let us know if you'd like help building a program that positively impacts your business today.