Staffing optimisation

Challenge
A key challenge for retailers is ensuring that stores are staffed cost-efficiently, without
compromising customer service. Our experience in this area was sought by a nationwide
retailer who needed to rationalise staffing levels in response to a decline in sales caused
by competitor activity.

Resolution
Our analysis of the stores and support office functions uncovered a major problem: in
the absence of integrated support systems, each store was operating as a standalone
business. Not only was this an expensive way to operate, it also hampered business-wide
initiatives designed to improve competitiveness. Resolve designed a centralised inventory
replenishment function which helped to unify the company and rationalise resources.
Headcount reduction in the region of 20 to 25%, improved purchasing behaviour and
greater inventory control have helped this retailer to survive in a competitive landscape.