Automation and the economy

Automation can help retailers address recent shifts in the market. When asked which steps they are likely to take in the next 12 months to weather uncertain economic conditions, automating operations to increase staff efficiency ranked in the top three responses.

41%

of retailers plan to automate operations to increase staff efficiency.

Automation can also help with other economic challenges:

42%

of retailers plan to maintain lower inventory levels, making inventory management tools more important.

35%

plan to reduce in-store hours, putting an emphasis on customer communication technology.

32%

plan to lay off staff or hold off on filling open positions, making self-checkouts and order tracking solutions key.

Tips

Automation is essential for omnichannel retail. An inventory management system enables you to sell online, in person, and on social channels, syncing orders and updating your current stock automatically.
Keep your employees happy with team management tools to automate payroll, scheduling, and time-off requests.
An automated loyalty program provides customers with incentives to shop with you. You can also gather insights, such as loyal customers’ spending habits, that can be helpful in your marketing efforts.

Automation can help with employee retention. Square Shifts scheduling software can empower your team. It lets them design the schedule that works for them by trading shifts and picking up open shifts, which saves everyone time.

How essential is automation for your business?

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