"In-Person Shopping Keeps Getting Worse"
That was the headline in a recent business page editorial*. And the writer was able to cite chapter and verse of all-too-prevalent lousy shopping experiences for customers.
As noted by a Wharton School professor, "retailers frequently reduce headcount because 'they immediately see the savings in payroll but they don't necessarily know what damage that does to the top line.'" Of course, the retailers that professor is referencing are the Big Guys who have to satisfy their investors every quarter.
As independent retailers, you have advantages that are unavailable to the Big Guys.
That was the headline in a recent business page editorial*. And the writer was able to cite chapter and verse of all-too-prevalent lousy shopping experiences for customers.
- "More American stores are doing with fewer employees and many have locked items up to keep them from being pilfered."
- "The retail industry slashed head count in 2020 and has never returned to pre-pandemic staffing levels."
- Meanwhile, "store employees are spending more time fulfilling online orders, leaving them less time for helping [in-store] customers."
- Then this warning: "Head-count reductions will become even more tempting in the quarters ahead, as the economy dampens consumers' appetite for shopping."
As noted by a Wharton School professor, "retailers frequently reduce headcount because 'they immediately see the savings in payroll but they don't necessarily know what damage that does to the top line.'" Of course, the retailers that professor is referencing are the Big Guys who have to satisfy their investors every quarter.
As independent retailers, you have advantages that are unavailable to the Big Guys.
