Aug 9, 2022 3:26:53 PM
Retail | Operations
Aug 9, 2022 3:26:53 PM
Retail | Operations
Retail efficiency might not be the most exciting phrase in the retail world.
But in 2022, efficient retail store operations are critical - not only for profitability - but also for a superior customer experience.
This post will help you improve efficiency in your stores and identify the biggest challenges your stores are facing on the road to operational excellence.
We'll cover:
Retail operational efficiency is a state of higher desired outputs while requiring less inputs to get there.
So what does this mean for stores?
An operationally efficient retail store has maximized its outputs (which we’ll define as the quality of the customer experience, brand image and sales) while requiring fewer inputs (which we’ll define as people, time and money) to get there.
Why is store operational efficiency critical for success in retail?
It helps retailers:
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It helps store teams:
It helps consumers:
A seamless omnichannel experience is expected in 2022. A 2022 Omnichannel Statistics Overview found that retailers who don’t sell on multiple channels miss up to 30% of sales. But many retailers are struggling to integrate stores into their omnichannel strategy.
Why are retailers lagging behind?
Why is retail efficiency necessary for this integration?
The truth is, stores have a lot to learn from online shopping before they can master operational efficiency.
Retailers with eCommerce platforms are constantly analyzing vast amounts of data to optimize the user experience and make the customer journey as seamless as possible. Every new innovation is correlated to a sales output - or else what would be the point?
But the approach most retailers take to optimizing the customer journey and increasing conversions in-store is a lot like throwing fistfulls of cooked spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks.
That’s why operational efficiency is so desperately needed to fully integrate stores into the omnichannel experience.
And the time to get that done was yesterday.
Why is operational efficiency a challenge for retailers?
Making these changes will help you better support your frontline teams in their quest to establish and follow the best practices in retail store operations. And with the right support, stores will achieve a state of operational excellence.
Operational excellence simply means that maximum performance with minimum effort to get there has become the default mode of the store.
Here are a few of the most inefficient store processes:
While all these procedures are vital, the way they're done hasn't changed in decades. And that's what needs to change to reach a state of operational excellence.
Here’s how other retailers did it
See how streamlined communications helped Lacoste perfect in-store brand image and be more reactive as a retailer:
See how operational efficiency supercharged leading French toy retailer King Jouet’s digitization and differentiation strategies:
If increased profits, data-driven decisions, happier employees and an improved customer experience aren't reasons enough to focus on store operational efficiency, consider that the survival of brick-and-mortar retail depends on its ability to seamlessly integrate with other ways of shopping.
Consumers expect a seamless shopping experience on your website, on Instagram, on Amazon, in your stores and everywhere in between. A seamless shopping experience is one that revolves around them. And if they can't get it they'll move on.
For every retailer who can't master omnichannel, there are thousands of others nailing it every day.
The survival of a retailer's physical store depends on the extent to which stores can put the customer journey first.
So why not start today?
The YOOBIC tool enables 300+ retailers including Johnston and Murphy, Boots, Vans, The Kooples, Logitech and Leyland SDM achieve consistent operational excellence across their store networks. To see how YOOBIC would drive efficiency for your store teams, get a demo!
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See why 350+ businesses are using YOOBIC
YOOBIC creates a better everyday working experience for frontline teams while helping businesses drive performance at scale.