Why Most Data-Driven Brands Are Failing (And Don’t Know It)

In 2025, being data-driven is a given for most ecommerce brands. But despite this shift, the results aren't matching the investment. 

According to a 2025 industry report, 67.7% of companies experienced significant data loss in the last year. Meanwhile, 88% faced at least one ransomware attack, and 93% of businesses that suffer prolonged outages go bankrupt within 12 months (Invenio IT, 2025). 

In parallel, the average cost of a data breach reached $4.9 million, and 26% of small businesses lost between $250,000 and $500,000 in cyberattacks. Beyond financial impact, only 50% of businesses test disaster recovery plans annually, putting business continuity at risk. 

These numbers paint a picture of fragile infrastructures masked by impressive dashboards. It’s not that brands aren’t tracking enough—it’s that they’re often tracking the wrong things, in disjointed ways. 

Being data-rich isn’t enough. Without the right foundation, that data can’t translate into growth. 

Here’s how we at HatchEcom help our partners move from insight overload to operational clarity. 

Step 1: Audit Your Signals 

In high-growth teams, we often see a recurring problem: more dashboards, less direction. Not all metrics are equal, and not all data drives decisions. 

We start by mapping what each function tracks—and more importantly, why. Often, key performance metrics are held in silos, tracked by habit rather than intention. 

For example, Amazon listings might be optimized for impressions, while Shopify data tells a different conversion story. And email engagement or social reach often sit outside ecommerce performance altogether. 

At HatchEcom, we lead clients through a full signal audit to differentiate between noise and value. Because clarity begins with alignment. 

Step 2: Align KPIs Across Teams 

One of the biggest blockers to data-driven growth isn’t the data—it’s the disconnect. 

Marketing teams might focus on CTR, operations on fulfillment time, and leadership on margin. These are all important—but only when they’re tied together. 

We guide teams to co-define shared KPIs: indicators that not only reflect performance but build trust across departments. The result is a system where insights aren’t just owned—they’re actionable. 

HatchEcom helps teams move from fragmented reporting to unified, strategic metrics that support business outcomes. 

Step 3: Build Decision-Ready Reporting 

Data isn’t useful if it’s stuck in analysis mode. Brands need reporting frameworks that speed up action—not bury teams in weekly recaps. 

That starts with defining: 

• Ownership (Who’s accountable?) 

• Cadence (How often is this reviewed?) 

• Outcome (What changes when we see this data?) 

Instead of layering new dashboards, we recommend simplifying to essential views that prioritize performance drivers. 

Our approach at HatchEcom emphasizes decision velocity: reporting that drives action, not just observation. 

This blog outlines four key steps to smarter, more effective decisions in data-rich environments. 

Step 4: Translate Data Into Strategy 

Dashboards don’t drive revenue—decisions do. 

Too many brands stop at insights, failing to create a feedback loop that turns learning into execution. We see the biggest results when data powers real business moves: 

• Creative testing with clear hypotheses 

• Product page optimizations based on actual scroll depth or bounce rates 

• Supply chain decisions informed by customer behavior, not just demand forecasts 

We work with brands to operationalize data—from brainstorming to testing, iteration to scale. 

Step 5: Clean Up the Foundation 

Without data readiness, every insight is at risk. 

In 2025, the cost of poor data hygiene is steep. Consider these findings from Invenio IT and IBM: 

• 40% of companies lose critical data in cyberattacks 

• Only 50% of businesses test disaster recovery protocols annually 

• 26% of SMBs lose up to $500,000 from breaches 

• 91% of ransomware attacks now include data theft 

• The average cost of a data breach is $4.9 million 

Brands often underestimate the impact of inconsistent structures, unsecured systems, and siloed access. As AI tools gain traction, poor foundational hygiene compounds the risk—making automation fragile and insights unreliable. 

At HatchEcom, we help brands strengthen data infrastructure before scaling automation. From standardized IDs to platform integrations and backup protocols, we support turning scattered data into secure, functional systems. 

This connects to broader shifts in how generative BI is reshaping analysis—revealing how fragile data structures can limit even the most powerful tools. 

And while there isn’t one universal solution yet, there’s a growing case for future tools that offer smarter, more cost-effective and secure data operations. Until then, brands must act on what they can control. 

Why This Matters Now 

We’re halfway through the year—and for many DTC brands, that means entering high-stakes quarters. Whether you’re planning for Prime Day, Q4, or international expansion, execution will depend on how confidently your team can interpret and act on your data. 

This is the season where systems are tested—and outcomes reflect the prep work done months before. But this doesn’t mean adding more tools or tracking every metric under the sun. 

It means asking better questions: 

• Are we aligned on what matters? 

• Are we acting fast enough on what we learn? 

• Is our data infrastructure helping us scale—or holding us back? 

At HatchEcom, we become part of your team—translating insights into smart, sustainable growth systems. 

Want to future-proof your capabilities? Here are the four data skills your team will need in 2025. 

Final Thought 

Being data-driven isn’t the advantage. Acting on the right data is. 

Most brands don’t need more platforms—they need sharper systems. Ones that help them move faster, test better, and make decisions with conviction. 

The truth is, many growing brands aren’t failing because of a lack of effort—they’re failing because their systems weren’t built to scale. 

And while no tool solves it all, the right partner can help you get closer. 

If you're trying to clean up your workflow—or get more from what you're already tracking—let’s talk. 

Let’s turn information into momentum.