Retail has always been tough. But now, retailers aren’t just battling for customers, they’re also competing for talent. The industry faces up to 40% churn as “undervalued” workers seek better experiences elsewhere. With unpredictable schedules, low pay, spotty employer communication, and a lack of internal mobility, many deskless retail workers feel burned out, unappreciated, and disconnected. To attract and retain deskless workers, HR leaders must invest in their workforce at all levels.
Today’s retail workers want higher pay, better benefits, flexibility, and more opportunities for advancement. Happy workers provide better customer service, so it’s critical to redefine what best looks like for your company by treating your workers like customers.
Here are five tactics retailers can leverage to entice workers to stay.
1. Set employees up for success from the start
A great candidate experience and a smooth onboarding process are critical opportunities to build relationships at work and create a feeling of connection—both of which can lead to higher engagement and job satisfaction. 69% of employees are more likely to stay with a company if they experience a great onboarding process. Tailor your retail worker onboarding process to make new hires feel welcome and provide opportunities for them to experience the workplace culture on day one.
2. Help people feel understood at work
Although pay is a popular retention tactic, not all retailers can afford to increase wages. But it’s not only about money for employees—they want to feel seen and heard too. Give each employee a voice and help them feel more in control of their career by clearly communicating expectations, regularly sharing feedback, and encouraging employees to share their needs and thoughts through regular quick pulse surveys.
3. Support employee well-being
33% of customer-facing employees say their employer isn’t doing enough to support their well-being. Make it easy for workers to balance work and life to help them feel valued, energized, and engaged. Ensure employees receive quick, accurate answers about time off, benefits, returning to work, and similar topics through ongoing communication and guidance they can access on any device.
4. Show them you’re invested in them
Give your associates the ability to review roles, discover interesting opportunities, and deliver suggested learning aligned to development goals. An AI-driven skills engine and comprehensive learning experience will help them grow and thrive. Enrich the employee experience through step-by-step workflow guidance to help employees complete professional and personal activities such as exploring career growth opportunities, transferring to a new role, or supporting safety protocols, all in one user experience.
5. Bridge the communication gap
When employees are more informed with access to information and resources to thrive, they are more driven to do their very best at work. A staggering 74% of deskless workers believe there are barriers to communication in the workplace. Leverage a communications solution connected directly to your workforce to build a better experience by delivering personalized communications that can influence change, improve morale, enhance company loyalty, and promote a healthier workplace culture. Ensure workers know what’s happening and how they fit into the big picture.
Prioritize deskless workers today
Retailers must show their employees that they value their opinions, respect their time, and, most importantly, trust them to do their work in new, more flexible ways. Learn more about the tools and techniques leading retailers are leveraging to make their deskless staff feel valued, safe, supported, and in control.
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