JDA Software Recommends Workforce Management Strategies To Drive Profitability And Customer-Centricity In Challenging Retail Environment

By JDA Software

Staying competitive in today's retail environment isn't easy. Now more than ever, retailers of all sizes are tasked with navigating the inherent complexities of workforce management and striking a balance between reducing store operating budgets and a growing demand for a customer-centric shopping experience. Successful retailers are making workforce management a top corporate priority and eliminating their reliance on outdated, manual procedures that are disconnected from their store planning processes. According to Gartner Research, with labor being the second-largest operational cost (after merchandise), retailers can achieve great benefits, over a longer period, through applications supporting the end-to-end workforce management processes.

An overall decrease in consumer spending has forced retailers to reduce store operating budgets, while consumers continue to expect a very high level of customer service. As a result, forecasting and scheduling store labor has become more complex than ever before. To manage these complexities, leading retailers are turning to advanced solutions for more accurate labor forecasting, streamlined scheduling processes, and consistent workforce management across the entire retail enterprise while also delivering tangible ROI in an accelerated timeframe.

Outlined below are five strategies for effective workforce management supported by advanced store operations solutions.