The food retail sector is essential to the global economy, representing a large part of the GDP of several countries and consequently generating millions of jobs. However, the sector faces a number of challenges and is one of the most susceptible to high employee turnover.
In this scenario, effective workforce management has become an important differentiator for companies, boosting WFM tools as an effective solution for responding to the main needs of this market.
After all, how can SISQUAL® WFM benefit this sector?
Currently, the problem of employee turnover in food retail generates high costs for companies, from recruiting and training new staff to reducing productivity. ‘In addition, the constant pressure for tighter profit margins, stock management, customer service across multiple channels and compliance with labour laws are also critical factors that directly affect the efficiency of companies in the sector,’ says Adriana Silva, systems analyst at SISQUAL® WFM.
SISQUAL® WFM is a workforce management tool, which responds directly to the day-to-day operations of food retailers. The tool works on several fronts, such as roster management, ensuring that the right employees are present at peak times, thus increasing the quality of service.
The growing commitment to adopting WFM tools by companies in this sector directly benefits managers and teams, resulting in:
- Reduced operating costs: By optimising work schedules and working hours, excessive overtime payments and employee overload are avoided.
- Improved Productivity: Teams are allocated according to their competences and operational needs, ensuring greater efficiency and quality of service.
- Increased Talent Retention: The tool offers flexibility in schedules, a determining factor for employee satisfaction and retention, as it provides a better balance between personal and professional life.
Viscardi: A success story
Viscardi Supermarkets in Brazil is a practical example of the impact of SISQUAL® WFM in food retail. In 2023, the company was facing problems related to employee allocation, which had a direct impact on operations and customer service.
Following the implementation of SISQUAL® WFM, Viscardi Supermarkets transformed the management of schedules and operations, making it possible to centralise shift management, ensuring that employees with the right skills were allocated to the busiest times. This process has resulted in improvements for employees, who now have greater control over their schedules, but also in a superior experience for customers, especially at peak times, contributing to increased sales.
According to the head of the supermarket chain, Adolfo Viscardi, the ease of use of the tool was also one of the key factors in the success of the implementation: ‘The fact that it is an intuitive and interactive platform, where even those with little computer knowledge can operate, was essential in improving daily work and eliminating the use of manual diaries,’ he explains.
Automation improves operational management
High turnover in food retail is linked to different factors, such as inadequate salaries, unfavourable working conditions, lack of recognition and even lack of development opportunities. Nuno Nogueira, CEO of Merge Time, SISQUAL® WFM’s strategic partner, with extensive experience in consulting in the sector, emphasises that retaining talent depends on implementing strategies that address different points:
- Efficient Schedule Planning: By utilising historical sales and customer traffic data, WFM solutions enable managers to plan schedules accurately, avoiding overstaffing in quiet periods and understaffing at peak times.
- Appropriate allocation of resources: The tool helps identify employees’ skills and competences, allocating them efficiently to better meet the needs of the business, contributing to increased sales.
- Improved Internal Communication: Through WFM tools, employees can request changes of schedule or time off simply and automatically, which promotes more transparent communication and increases satisfaction in the workplace.
- Training and Skills Development: The system helps managers identify possible ‘gaps’ in employees’ competences, enabling them to draw up training plans. As a result, WFM solutions not only make it possible to increase efficiency, they also lead to greater employee satisfaction, as they feel more valued.
Food retail is currently facing complex challenges, yet the implementation of workforce management tools reinforces the importance of strategies centred on talent retention and the use of technologies that promote operational efficiency. In this way, companies can optimise their operations and thus improve both the lives of employees and the customer experience.
Want to know more about how SISQUAL® WFM can help retailers increase sales and improve the quality of life of managers and employees?
