Proper Housekeeping Keeps Shoppers Happy...And Coming Back
As I’m sure you’re aware, sales of private label products continue to grow. And as more consumers purchase store brands, they are visiting retailers such as Aldi, Trader Joe’s, and dollar stores among others with greater frequency.
With these and other retailers seeing gains in foot traffic, store housekeeping is an issue retailers must keep an eye on. Operating thousands of stores across a country the size of the U.S. brings with it a multitude of challenges. But keeping stores tidy and well-stocked is vital for continued success.
This issue came to mind after a recent trip to a Dollar Tree near my hometown. The store, located in a strip mall, is a typical Dollar Tree. What caught my eye, beyond the steady flow of shoppers, was how front-end displays and shelves throughout the store were well-kept.
Often, dollar stores can be a tad messy, especially on a weekend. Part of this blame lies at the feet of shoppers. However, retailers must also share the blame when a store lacks an adequate number of employees to ensure proper housekeeping.
Aldi recently shared its Price Leadership Report that noted 25% of U.S. consumers now shop the discount grocer. While this is certainly good news for the company, it also puts greater pressure on store personnel to meet the needs of its growing customer base. With Aldi stores smaller in square footage than traditional grocery stores, this limits shelf space and leads to smaller product quantities on shelf.
When walking Aldi stores, it’s easy to notice store personnel working to restock items, and then bouncing to the front end when the line builds. While self-checkout is an option, most shoppers with full carts continue to use checkout lines operated by humans.
This brings me to Trader Joe’s. Within the realm of small-format grocers, they do a wonderful job of keeping shelves packed with products as store personnel are constantly working to restock items, while also conversing with customers about new or favorite products. The checkout lines are never an issue as all registers are open and ready to help shoppers quickly and efficiently pay for their goods.
Today’s top retailers are continually learning and evolving. But as they look to grow, it’s vital to make sure stores have the right number of workers to ensure each location is properly serving shoppers. Yes, it’s additional overhead. But that investment could lead to even more customers coming through the door and leaving having had an enjoyable shopping experience.
