Audits create friction when the report feels like an accusation. Treat the photo pack as shared ground: same store, same day, same checklist.
Rank issues, do not drown them
List empty facings and wrong prices before aesthetic POS notes. Distributors can fix stock faster than they can debate a shelf talker angle.
Separate chain rules from partner performance
If a chain banned your freestanding unit, that is not a distributor failure. Name compliance limits clearly so the next activation budget is not spent on materials that will be rejected again.
Schedule the call with the evidence open
Walk through five worst stores first. Agree on a recovery window before discussing the stores that already look fine.
Retail audit & compliance checks are scoped for that kind of factual follow-up.