Working in retail requires flexibility and quick problem solving. Retailers face many unpredictable problems daily, but Retail Focus has identified the four main issues retailers should be prepared for.
The first problem is lack of product availability. There’s not much that harms your reputation and customer trust like not having an item in stock that you are expected to have. Having the right items in stock and being able to communicate inventory issues quickly and accurately are especially important during the holiday season.
If you do have the right items in stock, you have to make sure customers know where to find them. That’s why poor product layouts is the next problem on the list. The article lists a few different types of store layouts to consider.
The third problem is poor customer service. Employees must be friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about products and services. The article goes on at length about some of the more specific issues beneath the umbrella of customer service, including dealing with dissatisfied customers, properly implementing programs like BOPIS, and using technology to improve customer service.
Finally, Retail Focus names poor internal communication as one of the main problems in the retail sector. Good internal communication can improve employee morale, but employees often have to be trained in the best ways to communicate with management. Employees should feel empowered to improve processes and make suggestions.
