The days of manually creating spreadsheets and dealing with constant scheduling conflicts are rapidly fading, thanks to retail employee scheduling software. This powerful technology is revolutionizing how retailers manage their workforce, streamlining processes and increasing employee satisfaction.
Efficiently scheduling employees is crucial for optimized modern retail. Smooth operations increase retention, reduce labor costs, and utilize data to maximize profit. This article will dig deeper into key features, solutions, and benefits of retail employee scheduling software.
What Is Retail Employee Scheduling Software?
Retail employee scheduling software is a digital tool designed to streamline as an automated tool for work scheduling. It replaces traditional pen-and-paper methods, allowing managers to efficiently assign employee shifts based on availability, skill sets, and labor laws.
This software helps optimize staffing levels, reduce scheduling conflicts, and improve communication between management and staff. This upgrade ultimately leads to better workforce management and increased operational efficiency in the retail industry.
Key Features of Retail Employee Scheduling Software
Many of the top digital scheduling platforms have similar sets of features and tools. Be sure to look out for the following:
Automated Scheduling
Retail scheduling software enables automated schedule creation based on predefined rules, labor laws, employee availability, and business requirements. This automation significantly reduces the time and effort spent on manually scheduling tasks.
Employee Self-Service Access
With employee self-service portals, staff members can quickly request time off, swap shifts, and update their availability. Fostering a sense of empowerment and flexibility among team members leads to increased job satisfaction.
Most software platforms also have a scheduling feature that allows employees to communicate with one another through the mobile app.
Real-Time Updates
Retail employee scheduling software is cloud-based, which keeps everyone in the loop with real-time updates. Managers and employees can access their schedules on mobile devices, reducing the likelihood of miscommunications and missed shifts.
Data Analysis and Insights
These solutions offer data-driven insights into retail workforce trends, peak hours, and employee performance. This insight helps managers make informed decisions about staffing levels, identify problem areas, and suggest possible improvements.
Labor Laws Compliance
Retail employee scheduling software promotes adherence to labor laws and regulations. They prevent scheduling practices that might lead to employee burnout or legal consequences.
Litigation costs employers over $750M a year. Getting ahead of all necessary compliance will enable retailers to avoid legal issues.
Point of Sale Integration
Integrating retail scheduling tools with your POS system offers several benefits to business owners. First, it enables real-time sales data to be incorporated into the scheduling process, allowing managers to forecast busy periods accurately and schedule staff accordingly.
Second, this integration improves labor cost control by aligning staffing levels with sales trends, avoiding overstaffing during slower periods. It will also help retailers avoid understaffing during peak hours or seasons.
Finally, a seamless connection between the two systems enhances efficiency by reducing manual data entry, minimizing errors, and improving coordination between sales trends and staff scheduling.
Software Programs to Consider
There are several retail employee scheduling software platforms to choose from. Here are 5 of the most popular:
TimeForge
- Texas-based labor management software with a wide array of tools
- Features that include applicant tracking, onboarding, proactive labor compliance, sales forecasting, biometric time clocks, and more
- Mobile app for easy team communication
- Integration with partner KORONA POS for optimized synchronization with analytics and reporting
- No commitment-free trial
Deputy
- Offers features such as drag-and-drop scheduling, allowing managers to easily assign shifts based on employee availability, skill sets, and preferences
- Employees can view their schedules, swap shifts with colleagues, and request time off with its mobile app
- Integrates with various POS systems to optimize staffing levels based on real-time sales data
- Monthly pricing is free for up to 100 shifts, $4.90 for “Premium” users, and offers an “Enterprise” option as well
Humanity
- Cloud-based employee scheduling platform that offers forecasting, reporting, and mobile access for retail teams
- Developed by TimeClock Plus LLC., a software company that specializes in labor management
- Integrations with Human Capital Management programs
- More expensive than other options
Homebase
- Designed for small to medium-sized businesses
- Provides scheduling, time tracking, and team communication functionalities
- Includes functions for payroll, hiring, PTO, and labor compliance
- Monthly pricing is $0 for “Basic” (up to 20 employees), $20 for “Essential,” $48 for “Plus,” and $80 for “All-in-one”
Sling
- Built by the restaurant POS platform Toast
- Versatile employee scheduling and communication platform suitable for retail businesses with multiple locations
- Used by some enterprise companies such as Amazon
- Instant timesheet to payroll syncing
- Monthly pricing offers a limited free version, “Premium” for $1.70 per user, and “Business” for $3.40 per user
Benefits of Retail Employee Scheduling Software
It’s no great mystery why scheduling software has become increasingly popular over the past decade. Here are some of the most prominent benefits that this technology has to offer:
Enhance Efficiency
By automating scheduling processes, retail employee scheduling software saves time and reduces errors, enabling managers to focus on core business tasks.
“TimeForge has been a game-changer for my shop! It makes managing employees so much easier and more efficient. It automates tasks and has intuitive features that save time, allowing me to focus on growing my business and keeping customers happy.”
Robert W. – Coastal Creations
Save Costs and Increase Profitability
Optimized scheduling leads to better staffing levels. No more overstaffing slow periods and understaffing during busy times. This ultimately results in cost savings for the retailer.
With optimized schedules, retailers can ensure the correct number of staff members are always available. Increase productivity and, subsequently, reach higher profitability.
Improve Employee Satisfaction
Empowering employees with self-service options and considering their preferences when creating schedules can boost morale and job satisfaction. Happy employees are more likely to deliver exceptional customer service,
In other words, satisfied staff leads to better customer experiences.
Reduce Turnover
When employees have more control over their schedules, they feel respected. Thus, such employees are less likely to seek opportunities elsewhere, reducing turnover rates. At at time when hiring retail employees is extremely competitive, retaining quality staff is imperative.
Avoid Penalties
No one wants to work for employers with histories of poor labor practices. Labor law compliance ensures retailers avoid legal penalties and maintain a positive reputation in the market.
Better, fairer companies attract quality employees.
Gain Competitive Advantage
Retailers using employee scheduling software gain a competitive edge by operating more efficiently, offering better customer service, and retaining top talent. Enterprise businesses have all begun using these types of programs to optimize their work environments.
Retail small businesses have a much better chance of standing out from their competitors by implementing the latest automation technology.
Conclusion: TimeForge X KORONA POS
KORONA POS strives to incorporate the most important integrations in the retail world. That’s why we partnered with TimeForge to deliver a robust, intuitive, and seamless employee scheduling workflow.
Optimize schedules using insights and analytics from your point of sale data for smarter, more efficient operations. In conjunction with KORONA POS’s native employee management settings and tracking, you will have full visibility and ease of management over staff and your shop.
Call us today to learn more about how our software and integrations automate your retail store to make your work life easier.
FAQs: Retail Employee Scheduling Software
Companies use various software solutions for scheduling, depending on their specific needs, budget, and industry. Some popular scheduling software options include TimeForge, Deputy, Humanity, and Sling. These platforms offer features such as employee scheduling, time tracking, and communication tools to streamline workforce management and improve efficiency.
When scheduling a retail employee, first find out their availability. Next, you can use historical sales data and store foot traffic patterns to determine the busiest times to allocate more experienced employees. Finally, utilize retail employee scheduling software to automate, streamline, and modernize the process.
All of the modern retail employee scheduling software platforms now have apps. These include TimeForge, Deputy, Sling, and more. These apps allow employees to view schedules, request off, and communicate with one another. They also provide remote monitoring and employee management for retail managers and owners.
