Supermarket trends put pressure on margins and personnel costs

The supermarket world is on edge. Margins are shrinking, the labor market is tight and large chains are merging to be stronger. Think of the recent merger of Coop and Plus, or the takeover of Boni by Nettorama. At the same time, high energy costs and rising product prices are weighing heavily on operations.

In this context, efficient personnel management is more important than ever. Because it is precisely in labor costs and employability that opportunities to cope with pressure lie. The Employer Survey Labor 2024 shows that many employers are anticipating this with training, innovation and personnel optimization. And that is exactly where a modern Workforce Management (WFM) system also makes a difference.

3 major challenges for supermarkets

1. Staff shortages & flexible deployment

The tight labor market makes it difficult to find suitable employees. At the same time, stores must continue to operate, even when sick, on leave or at peak times. Supermarkets are looking for ways to deploy employees more flexibly, for example across multiple stores.

A good WFM system makes this possible. You see at a glance where capacity is available, and can roster employees at multiple locations. That way you make the best use of the people you have - without putting extra pressure on individual teams.

2. Rising personnel costs

Wage costs are one of the biggest expenses in the supermarket. With rising minimum wages and collective bargaining adjustments, it is becoming increasingly important to plan smartly.

A WFM system provides real-time insight into your planned and worked hours, linked to your labor costs. You see immediately whether you are still within budget and can make timely adjustments. This prevents surprises later and helps you keep running efficiently.

3. Pressure on productivity

With fewer people, you have to do just as much - or even more - work. That requires smart technology that helps plan, distribute and monitor work. Not by working harder, but by organizing smarter.

WFM software supports this by automatically generating efficient rosters, taking into account availability, contract hours and expected crowds. Moreover, you save time on administration and avoid errors that quickly arise in Excel or manual systems.

"Planning in Excel is time-consuming and error-prone. Read here 6 reasons why supermarkets are switching to a planning tool."

What many employers are doing according to the Employer Survey of Labor 2024

The Employers' Survey of Labor 2024 shows that many organizations are betting on:

• ✍️ Training employees to increase productivity
• 🌟 Innovation and technology to automate processes
• ⚖️ Cost control and flexibilization of labor

These developments are consistent with what a good WFM system enables:

• It supports teams with more structure and clarity so employees work more efficiently
• It makes processes smarter and faster, from scheduling to payroll
• It makes flexible deployment of people practically possible, including across multiple branches

From surviving to looking forward

In times of consolidation, cost increases and staff shortages, getting a grip on your schedule is not a luxury, but a necessity. With the right technology, you maximize your workforce, cut costs and keep your operation agile.

How flexible and future-proof is your staff scheduling now? & Wondering how other supermarket organizations approach this?

About the author Becca Ligthart

Becca Ligthart is a passionate marketing and communications professional who focuses on providing practical tips and fresh insights for the effective use of WFM in companies, with a strong focus on forward-thinking business operations.