5 Ways to Increase the Productivity of Your Small Retail Business

As a small retail business owner, we know you’re always looking for ways to save time. Fortunately, today’s technology offers retail businesses plenty of tools for maximum time optimization. Keep your business running smoothly and avoid revenue loss by increasing productivity in all aspects of your company with these five time saving techniques.

Fast Marketing

Getting the word out about your small retail business doesn’t have to be time consuming. Let your customers know about special promotions or in-store events with email marketing campaigns. Save time by using online email marketing solutions like SnapRetail that make it easy to design emails and send them to subscribers. Another way to market your business without spending too much time and effort is through Facebook. Stay on your customers’ minds by creating a business account and updating it daily with interesting tidbits, promotions and product information.

Staff Scheduling

Useful apps like, Deputy make scheduling staff hours a cinch. Deputy allows you to coordinate shifts online and even sends notifications via text message and email so your workers never show up for a cancelled shift again. This time and attendance software also makes it simple to keep track of everyone’s hours, so you’ll always pay your workers the right amount. Forgo those paper time sheets and opt to go digital with staff scheduling. You’ll save time and money.

Data Protection

Using the cloud makes it easier to save and access important business files. Consider this situation, you’re at home and a customer calls you, upset about being overcharged for an item he or she bought earlier in the day. You don’t have to wait until you get back to your business’s physical location to solve this mistake. With the cloud you can easily search for a specific transaction and verify the amount charged. However, if you do decide to go from physical to virtual files, make sure you have an online cloud backup service like MozyEnterprise that can protect important business information from getting lost and improve productivity with file sync and mobile access.

Store Organization

There’s no bigger time waster than a disorganized retail store. Keep your displays clutter-free and your client’s shopping experience will be smooth. If you find your overall layout is what’s slowing things down, then it’s time for a more drastic change. CashierLive suggests investing in light, easy to move shelves and opting for modular furniture that can be arranged in a variety of ways. The site also mentions grouping items in ways that make sense to your shoppers. For example, if a client goes into your store with the intention of purchasing a bathing suit for the summer, place other related items nearby, such as sunglasses, sunscreen and flip flops. This organizational method will not only make finding items easier for your customer but it will make the whole shopping process quicker. And remember, quick and easy transactions improve clientele and drive sales.

Easy Payments

Use technology to your advantage to make transactions quicker and easier.Credit card processing systems like Swipely can be easily integrated into your payment process and can be used alongside the cash register you probably already own. With Swipely you won’t have to spend hours trying to figure out how much you made from credit and debit card transactions, as one of its features allows you to view monthly sale data. Furthermore, you can even save time by adjusting your opening and closing hours to best accommodate the best times for sales, information Swipely can help you figure out.

 
Photo Credit: SocialMonsters.org