Engaged Employees, Exceptional In-Store Execution: 7 Tips

As convenient retail options continue to evolve, today’s consumers have high expectations. COVID-19 initiated the rise of curbside pickup and buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS), but shoppers are still eager for an in-store experience. No matter how convenient online retail becomes, there’s something about choosing an item right off the shelf. In order for consumers to be satisfied with this process, in-store execution has to be perfect. The best way to do this is to follow best practices for consistent implementation. Here are seven tips that can lead teams to retail success.

1. Define success and share it with all teams

In-store execution depends on several moving parts. From retailers to brand representatives and third parties, everyone must be on the same page. One retail execution strategy that can help teams is the use of planograms. When it comes to visual merchandising, a common vision will keep everyone working towards the same goal.

Because there’s so much competition today, effective displays are more important than ever. Items must be visible, relevant, and well-spaced. Additionally, customers should be encouraged to touch and feel the product in order to boost interaction that leads to a sale.

What’s more, teams can elevate their planogram creation and execution with interactive software like Movista. From photo verification to file sharing, a single solution for planning and completing in-store work can make retail magic possible.

2. Create shared learning opportunities

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to retail execution strategy.

Employees should be experts when it comes to the product at hand, ready to answer any and all questions. Further, every member of the team also needs education on why in-store execution strategy is so important. This makes them more likely to be active participants in every detail that leads to making the sale.

Accomplish all of this through learning opportunities. From workshops to study guides, it’s important to provide this critical education. Guest speakers and experts are another great way to boost education. Implementing a survey or questionnaire that puts your team’s knowledge to the test may also provide necessary insight.

3. Build in-the-field support and communication tools

Beyond training, employees and third-party representatives need a single source for support to achieve quality in-store execution. This should be an interactive tool they can use on the ground to help accomplish a well-stocked display that catches the eye.

Communication tools are another crucial part of this support system. Dialogue should be available across teams, across various levels of retail execution management, and with other vendors. Solutions such as Movista offer exactly that. Both internal and external teams can connect through chat and mass communications can be sent from management. Vendors, service providers, and store teams are always connected.

Further, Movista enables advanced communication with file sharing. Videos, photos, and diagrams can be stored and shared for in-the-moment execution or training. Plus, checklist functions and photo/signature verifications ensure the job is done right, every time.

4. Avoid missed sales with proactive stocking strategies

There are few things worse than being unable to meet customer demand. Consider the issues surrounding several types of products during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Items like toilet paper and multi-purpose cleaners were in high demand, but revenue was lost due to stocking issues. In fact, between May 2020 and February 2021, losses from the top ten out-of-stock categories cost retailers more than $3 billion.

In the end, poor in-store inventory execution creates a pain for retailers, brands, and third parties. Plus, lack of clarity in managing these three entities often makes it difficult to pinpoint who is responsible.

The good news? Technology makes it easy to stay on top of keeping items in stock. Software takes the guesswork out of your systems and processes. Team members in the field can quickly order more product when they see items running low.

5. Get on-the-ground visibility to act quickly

Likewise, exceptional execution starts when team leads get an eye into stores with on-the-ground visibility tools.

Once a promotion is in place, sales associates have a front row seat. Even with the best intentions, some ideas simply don’t go as planned. Perhaps items are falling off the display whenever a customer tries to take a product. Maybe the view is somehow obstructed by another item in the store.

Movista provides the ability for retail leaders to have visibility. That means team members on the ground can immediately report these issues and document them with photos, videos, and notes. Managers can adjust accordingly and watch sales improve.

6. Success doesn't happen on auto-pilot

The “set it and forget it” strategy simply doesn’t work when it comes to retail. It’s essential to have continuous and ongoing audits that allow for high-value insight. After a promotion, teams want to know what’s working and what’s not before moving forward. A retail audit is one of the best ways to accomplish this.  

Managers often wonder why sales are suddenly falling behind or surging at a store. An audit provides the answers. Using a solid retail audit checklist, teams can verify product placement and the number of SKUs on a shelf. Questions may include:

• Can customers easily notice the product?
• How many products were on the shelf?
• Did products appear to be tidy, well-arranged, and maintained?

When this checklist is digital and cloud-based, the entire process is simple and effective. Teams in the field can provide the answers managers need to make big decisions.

7. Find a single, integrated solution for in-store execution

The demands of modern retail require teams to work together flawlessly. Fortunately, in-store execution is simple with robust tools like Movista. Clients rave about our product because it allows for total visibility at all times. There’s never a doubt about which items are on the shelf or when representatives are in the store. Plus, promotion results come in immediately, allowing for critical game-time decisions.

One company using Movista went from 66% to 98.5% on-time execution while growing project count by 500%. These are the results made possible with a winning in-store execution strategy that is guided by an integrated solution.

Is it time for your team to level up? Let Movista lead the way with software that helps you plan, execute, and monitor your retail strategy. Contact us to learn more or schedule a demo.