How workforce management can improve the shopping experience and cut costs: 5 tips for retail companies

Workforce management software can significantly improve the shopping experience for customers by helping retail businesses better plan and organize their staff. But you probably already knew this. But how does this work in practice?

Therefore, we have compiled some tips for retail businesses that want to make the best use of workforce management software's capabilities:

Tip 1. Optimize rosters

With workforce management software, you can easily and quickly create and modify rosters so that you always have enough staff in the store at the right times. For example, you can use extra staff during busy periods to reduce customer wait times and keep a neat and tidy store and environment.

Tip 2. Increase productivity

With real-time data on sales progress and store occupancy, you can make targeted decisions to increase staff productivity. For example, by assigning staff to the right areas and activities in the store.

Tip 3. Improve communication and employee engagement

Workforce management software also offers the opportunity to improve internal communication. For example, employees can quickly and efficiently exchange information about availability, swapping shifts and more. Clarity for employees and their involvement is key to employee satisfaction and has a strong positive impact on retaining and attracting new staff.

Tip 4. Manage leave requests and leave records.

With workforce management software, you can also centrally manage leave requests and leave registration. This allows you to handle leave requests quickly and efficiently, and reduces any problems around staffing and employee availability.

Tip 5. Save costs

While the above items also contribute to cost savings, there are several ways workforce management can help cut costs, among others. These include:

• Optimization of staffing: ensuring that the right number of employees is always present can prevent over or understaffing. This leads to greater efficiency and lower personnel costs.

• Automation of administrative tasks: by automating administrative tasks, such as employee scheduling and leave tracking, managers can spend their time more efficiently.

• Limit overtime and/or surcharges: by planning and monitoring well, managers can limit overtime and surcharges.

• Capacity planning: by always knowing how much capacity is available when, managers can adjust operations and save costs.

• Employee employability: by ensuring that employees are in the right place at the right time and doing the right work, managers can cut costs.

• Comply with laws and regulations: with good workforce management software, you easily comply with laws and regulations. Following these is good for your workforce and you don't run the risk of violations and more.

Make WFM a priority within your organization

All in all, workforce management software can help retail businesses plan and staff more efficiently, improving the shopping experience for customers and saving costs. In the process, it can even go a long way toward retaining good employees.

In short, there are more than enough reasons to make workforce management a priority within your retail organization.

Do you have questions about how to use workforce management software smartly within your retail organization? Then get in touch with us. We will be happy to tell you about the possibilities and the good results from enthusiastic customers.

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About the author Stef van Dijk

Stef van Dijk has extensive experience in supermarkets and knows the food retail industry inside and out. Stef writes blogs on all relevant issues around workforce management and food retail.