By
Bob Phibbs
Updated August 1, 2024
The surveys show that approximately half of consumers reported experiencing a problem on their last shopping trip.
In a survey by Loyalty One, of those customers, 81% decided not to mention the issue to the retailer. Among these silent shoppers, 32% said they would unlikely recommend the retailer to friends and family.
I’m not surprised. Are you?
So little is understood about leadership and best management practices for retail employees…well, any employees. The real crisis is that poor management of associates has left them unengaged on the sales floor.
This allows your staff to work at a minimum level, with minimal interactions, with minimal engagement of customers, and with minimal impact on your sales… even though, deep down, they would like to feel a part of something...part of your store, part of your team, part of your success.
If you don’t want your associates to stand around waiting for direction, discover these secrets to managing employees:
1. Respect that they have a brain. A grocery store route driver noticed the yogurt in one store never sold and went bad, yet they were always out of a particular salsa. So one week, he dropped the yogurt from an order and doubled the salsa. His boss called him on the carpet for independently modifying the order and told him it was not his job to think. That boss was wrong. The most successful retail manager understands that great ideas can come from anywhere and always talks to associates in a way equal to their time and concern.
2. Compliment in public. Everyone likes to know they are doing a good job, and an occasional attaboy is fine, but the best retail store manager goes further. To develop leaders in your store, take time during staff meetings to recognize associates for what they did well and recount why what they did was so good. When you find more of what employees are doing right than wrong and tell them specifically in front of others, you nurture employee engagement and a team environment.
3. Train in private. Learning requires judging – something is either right or wrong. For training to stick, you must get past bad behaviors that require correction. No one likes to be corrected in front of others – or worse…in front of customers. Schedule time to train associates one-on-one off the floor, away from customers' demands. Allowing retail staff to explore and ask questions without interrupting them on the floor gives them the space to learn. My virtual online training program, SalesRX.com, is perfect for this.
4. Encourage exploring the merchandise. Three of the worst words for a customer to hear from a sales associate are, I don’t know. Make a point of everyone examining shipments for what’s new. Encourage employees to try on, handle, or use new merchandise.
5. Pay above minimum wage. A new employee agreed to start a retail job at minimum wage. She did a great job of pitching in, yet when her check arrived two weeks later, she posted her disappointment all over Facebook. She soon quit. To attract and keep the best, you must pay the best. Creating an exceptional experience takes thinking, acting, and maximum talent. Those who can do that expect to be paid accordingly.
6. Hold accountable. Suppose you train associates to do things correctly in your store, whether making a display, selling luxury items, or refunding. In that case, you must hold them accountable for your expectations of them. Retail managers often only hold those closest to them accountable, like assistant managers or shift leads. However, part-timers must be held to the same standards as they frequently are in more direct contact with your customers.
7. Help them find a friend. A manager’s job is to train, encourage, and challenge their staff. One of the key components to making a great team happens during onboarding. You want to help the new employee find things in common with other crew members. This helps remove the feelings of them versus me.
8. Ask their opinions. One of the most frequent comments about bad bosses is their inability to listen or pay attention to others. If you hire Millennials, you must involve them and get them to share their thoughts freely. It doesn’t mean you must use all the ideas generated, but collaboration is critical.
9. Thoughtfully reward them. When goals or large sales are made, or they went over and above, reward them with a gift card, car wash, or something personal to their interests, not just money.
In Sum
Properly managing your employees helps them realize their potential, sell confidently, and grow personally while they help grow your retail business.
