Spare a thought for retail staff…

Two years ago I heard for the first time that a retail staff member was away on stress leave. Leading up to Christmas this year I heard of another three. They are not based in Christchurch, by the way.

Interestingly the staff came from two particular store groups. Both store groups seem to have more stock out the back in their reserves than on the shop floor.

If you are our client, we provide you with a list of recommendations to help your staff identify stock in the jungle of stock that arrives at any time of year, and in particular Christmas. It never ceases to amaze me that even though stores empty out after Boxing Day the stock rooms seem to remain very full. The pressure on store staff and retail managers is increasing.

Whether you have a sales, merchandising or any other team visiting a retail store you must keep in mind that it is the retailers’ job to move your stock from inwards goods to the floor in between visits.

Some stores are better than others, but you should think about the process and how you can help. I was sent the following article by an associate last year and it keeps coming back to me when I hear of disgruntled and stressed retail staff. If they are on the shop floor for hours on end, they should enjoy it. As a supplier to retail it should be top of mind on how you can touch, move and inspire retail staff, let alone within your immediate employee pool.

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Managers’ poor communication blamed for low staff motivation

By John Eccleston 08 June 2011

Lack of communication between senior managers and their wider workforce is leading to low motivation among staff, according to research published today.

The survey, by people development company European Leaders, found that more than two-thirds (68%) of respondents said they fail to understand their company’s vision, leading to a lack of motivation and reduced productivity. In addition to this, almost two-thirds (64%) of respondents claimed they could, and would, work much more efficiently with better motivation.

Currently, less than one-fifth (18 %) of respondents view the business they work for as a good organisation and, as a result, only one-third (36%) describe themselves as working to their full potential.
Respondents to the survey cited strong management as being crucial to building motivation among employees.

Further findings included:

15% have skills and knowledge from their personal interests or hobbies which could be put to better use at work;

34% think that a good manager should know when employees have under-used skills or expertise; and

38% think that a good manager should embrace new ideas and input from across the company.

Ashley Ward, director of European Leaders, said, “It’s widely accepted that people performance is the biggest influence in business performance, yet, as a nation, we’re still not doing enough. If you look at the UK’s best companies to work for, their focus on company values and employee engagement is right at the top of their agenda.

“The fact that people want to be more involved in their work and their company shows they think about their employer’s business and care about how they’re managed. They have more to give and opening the minds of management to fresh ideas can release a huge amount of energy and skill from the workforce, benefiting the business bottom line as well as the employees as they become more passionate about the organisation they work in. A seemingly negligible investment can get teams much closer to their full potential performance, resulting in a happier workforce and significant financial benefits.”

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Happy New Year! Retail staff are an essential part of any product’s success. If you need support inspiring and training your staff this year, let us know. We’d be more than happy to help.

Happy Selling In!

  and the team!

Mike Hoskin Newstalk ZB Feature

 
The David Awards

Best Instore
Support 2008

Awarded by Dick Smith Electronics and Powerhouse Stores to Philips.

VSS serviced the Dick Smith Stores to sucessfully launch the Philips Accessories Range.

Voted on by individual stores.

Finalists

Telecom
Microsoft
Vodafone
Philips

Criteria

- Professional Representation of company in store.
- Easily accessible.
- Works with store to educate staff on new products.
- Maintains a good relationship.

VSS Limited are members of:

NZ Sales Manager Magazine

NZ Retailers Association

The Chamber Of Commerce

VSS Limited are supporters of:

Piha Surf Life Saving Club

Each brand requires a customised programme. Emphasis will be required in different areas.

1. Merchandising -
Ensuring your products get the ultimate representation at retail. Ongoing maintenance and replenishment ensure high standards are met.

2. Planograms -
We have systems that will keep your planogram in place at retail.

3. Stock Management -
Computer generated ordering systems have failures. We understand these and have systems that will minimise the out of stock situations.

4. Out-Of-Stock Reduction -
Replenishment and merchandise facing keeps out of stocks to a minimum. Computer generated reports assist to identify issues nationwide.

5. Manual Orders -
Our system can send data directly to your ordering system.

6. Credits/Returns -
Where possible repairs to stock are carried out in store to minimise returns.

7. Retail Staff Training -
Some products require store staff to have a high level of knowledge to ensure confidence in selling. Our teams are experienced in delivering formal and informal training sessions.

8.Concept Areas -
Design, maintenance and merchandising of these areas is crucial to ensure you achieve return on investment.

The information contained in this publication is for general information purposes only.

The information is provided by Vendor Sales Support and whilst we endeavour to keep the information up-to-date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the publication or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the publication for any purpose.

Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this publication.

Any information obtained from other sources has been credited accordingly and Vendor Sales Support take no responsibility for statements made and in no way represent VSS’s opinion. VSS strongly recommends that readers seek independent advice or trace back to the original source for comment.