Redis Caching Strategy

**Context**: 
Designing an efficient caching strategy is crucial for optimizing the performance of applications that rely heavily on data retrieval and storage. Redis, an in-memory data store, can be leveraged as a caching layer to reduce the load on databases and improve response times. A well-planned Redis caching strategy can significantly enhance the scalability and responsiveness of an application.

**Detailed Instructions**: 
Develop a comprehensive Redis caching strategy for a high-traffic e-commerce platform. The strategy should include:
1. **Cache Key Design**: Describe how cache keys will be structured to ensure uniqueness and to facilitate easy invalidation of cached data when underlying data changes.
2. **Data Expiration and Invalidation**: Outline the approach for setting time-to-live (TTL) values for different types of cached data and mechanisms for manually invalidating cache entries when data is updated.
3. **Cache Storage Optimization**: Discuss strategies for optimizing storage usage, such as compressing data, using appropriate data types (e.g., Hashes, Lists, Sets), and implementing a mechanism to limit cache size.
4. **Read and Write Strategies**: Explain the read and write strategies through Redis, including how to handle read-heavy vs. write-heavy workloads, and how to ensure data consistency.
5. **Clustering and Sharding**: If the application expects significant growth, describe how Redis clustering and sharding can be implemented to distribute the cache across multiple nodes, ensuring scalability and high availability.
6. **Monitoring and Maintenance**: Propose a plan for monitoring Redis performance, handling common issues (e.g., memory usage, connection limits), and performing regular maintenance tasks.

**Output Format**: 
The caching strategy should be presented in a detailed report format, including:
- Introduction to Redis and its benefits in caching
- Step-by-step guide to implementing the proposed caching strategy
- Technical specifications for each component of the strategy
- Discussion on potential challenges and mitigation strategies
- Conclusion summarizing the expected outcomes of the proposed strategy

**Examples**: 
Include examples of how the caching strategy would be applied to specific scenarios within the e-commerce platform, such as:
- Caching product information
- Storing session data
- Implementing a leaderboard for popular products
- Handling cache invalidation when product inventory updates occur

Ensure the strategy is tailored to the specific needs of a high-traffic e-commerce platform, focusing on performance, scalability, and data consistency.