Store operations x workforce management
How to improve store management efficiency and save workforce
Against the backdrop of advances in digital technology, widespread cashless payments, and a workforce shortage that may become even more severe in the future, the number of cases in which retailers are making efforts to save workforce is increasing. In order to improve the value of brick-and-mortar stores in the face of diversifying consumer purchasing behavior, it will be necessary to improve efficiency and make operations more sofisticated. Therefore, Fujitsu Frontech is focusing on solutions that save workforce to achieve this goal.
So how do we actually make store operations less labor intensive? In this article, we explain how you can improve the efficiency of store management and preserve workforce, the reasons and objectives for it, as well as the challenges and solutions that arise when you tuckle it.
The method of saving workforce store operation
- Fujitsu Frontech can get you this far! -
Reasons and objectives for efforts to save workforce in store operations
As the working-age population continues to decline in Japan, it is expected that many stores will need to increase the wages to secure human resources. There is a possibility that we will fall into a "manpower shortage bankruptcy" as a result of the lack of manpower despite the presence of customers.
Also, we cannot ignore the rapidly advancing digital transformation (DX) trend in store operations. As the percentage of cashless payments increases, there is a concern that we will be outperformed by competitors if we continue to operate our business as usual. OMO (a term that refers to the fusion of online and offline) has diversified purchasing behavior, and requires creative promotion, utilization of purchasing data, and diversification of product deliveries. In stores, it is necessary to improve the quality of customer service and provide an experience unique to real stores.
Amid these circumstances, there are many ways to reduce workforce in store operations thanks to technological advances. Many stores have succeeded in saving workforce, and various methods of saving workforceare becoming more common.
We can't do business
without saving
workforce
other retailers
Make more workforce
available and
improve services
digital technology
Easily reduce
workforce
Workforce-saving method for store operation
Here are some ways to make store operations less labor intensive.
| Scope of workforce reduction | How do you save workforce? |
|---|---|
| Checkout area |
|
| Counting, inventory management |
|
| Cash management |
|
| Security |
|
For example, self-checkout and semi-self-checkout (The cashier registers the product and the customer makes the payment by themselves) systems are being introduced.
By increasing efficiency through self-checkout and semi-self-checkout, it is possible to reduce the number of people assigned to the cashier.
It also has the advantage of lowering the psychological burden of employees who have to deal with money.
In addition, check the table above to see how you can save workforce by scope, including inventory management, cash management, and security.
Semi-self-checkout "TeamPoS/SP"
What are the challenges of stores that are slow to reduce workforce?
There are various ways to save workforce, but some stores may not be able to introduce it or make progress.
Store Challenge 1
I don't know how we should start with the idea of saving workforce.
Some stores may stumble from the start because they don't know how to start, where to ask for services to improve efficiency.
Store Challenge 2
The introduction of new equipment and services requires additional workload.
In some cases, they are reluctant to introduce new equipment and services in situations where they have been able to operate stores without any problems. While they are not used to it at the beginning of the introduction, it is certainly not strange that it requires extra work. They also have to think about the training.
Store Challenge 3
No personnel available to handle equipment problems.
When you use new equipment, you should be worried about equipment failure and system trouble. How likely is such trouble, and what should be done if it happens? If you don't have people with the knowledge, or if you're not familiar with machines, you might think it's better to give up.
Fujitsu Frontech can handle everything from installation to operation and maintenance!
To address these concerns, Fujitsu Frontech supports both the deployment and operation phases.
We offer a wide range of services to reduce workforce in store operations, so we propose on where to start and how to implement them smoothly. You can also use our help desk service to ask questions about the operation and problems. Please consult from the stage, like "I'm wondering if we can do something to make our stores more efficient and less labor intensive." We would like to make a proposal based on previous cases.
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