[{"_id":"project-settings","settings":{"translateMetaTags":true,"translateAriaLabels":true,"translateTitle":true,"showWidget":true,"isFeedbackEnabled":false,"fv":1,"customWidget":{"theme":"dark","font":"rgb(255, 255, 255)","header":"rgb(0, 0, 0)","background":"rgba(0, 0, 0,0.8)","position":"right","positionVertical":"bottom","border":"","borderRequired":false,"widgetCompact":true,"isWidgetPositionRelative":false},"widgetLanguages":[{"code":"es-LA","name":"Español (América Latina)"},{"code":"fr-CA","name":"Français (Canada)"}],"activeLanguages":{"fr-CA":"Français (Canada)","es-LA":"Español (América Latina)","de":"Deutsch","en":"English"},"enabledLanguages":["de","en","es-LA","fr-CA"],"debugInfo":false,"displayBranding":true,"displayBrandingName":true,"localizeImages":false,"localizeUrls":false,"localizeImagesLimit":false,"localizeUrlsLimit":true,"localizeAudio":false,"localizeAudioLimit":false,"localizeDates":false,"disabledPages":[],"regexPhrases":[],"allowComplexCssSelectors":false,"blockedClasses":false,"blockedIds":false,"phraseDetection":true,"customDomainSettings":[],"seoSetting":[],"translateSource":false,"overage":false,"detectPhraseFromAllLanguage":false,"googleAnalytics":false,"mixpanel":false,"heap":false,"disableDateLocalization":false,"ignoreCurrencyInTranslation":false,"blockedComplexSelectors":[]},"version":4635},{"_id":"en","source":"en","pluralFn":"return n != 1 ? 1 : 0;","pluralForm":2,"dictionary":{},"version":4635},{"_id":"outdated","outdated":{"#L drives revenue growth and excellence with iQmetrix":1,"#How TELUS retailer":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\"><span ljsid-0-0=\"\">73</span> %</strong> des clients":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\"><span ljsid-0-0=\"\">71</span> %</strong> des acheteurs":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">96</span> % des consommateurs":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\"><span ljsid-0-0=\"\">88</span> %</strong> des consommateurs":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\"><span ljsid-0-0=\"\">74</span> %</strong> des consommateurs":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">47</span> % ont changé de marque":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">46</span> % des consommateurs":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">56</span> % des consommateurs":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\"><span ljsid-0-0=\"\">90</span> %</strong> des consommateurs":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\"><span ljsid-0-0=\"\">66</span> %</strong> des acheteurs":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">54</span> % des consommateurs":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">73</span> % des consommateurs":1,"#by Joannah Connolly on Nov <span ljsid-1=\"\">18</span>, <span ljsid-3=\"\">2024</span>":1,"#by John Lund of Entresmart, LLC on Nov <span ljsid-1=\"\">20</span>, <span ljsid-3=\"\">2024</span>":1,"#by Joannah Connolly on Dec <span ljsid-1=\"\">11</span>, <span ljsid-3=\"\">2024</span>":1,"#Pricing":1,"#Why is strategic scheduling important?":1,"#Fortunately, with today’s intelligence workforce management technology, telecom retailers can improve staffing to increase revenue and employee engagement — not only during the holidays but also throughout the entire year. Here’s our guide to maximizing your <span ljsid-1=\"\">2023</span> holiday retail sales with strategic scheduling.":1,"#This is great news for your telecom retail business — but with the increased demand and foot traffic that comes with every holiday season, you’ll need to find ways to maximize your profits. A key strategy for this is <strong ljsid-1=\"\">scheduling your staff strategically. </strong>Not only does this ensure your customers are always supported, but also that your team’s skills are being used in the best way possible.":1,"#In a busy holiday season, telecom retailers can use intelligence workforce management technology to improve staffing and increase revenue and employee…":1,"#Despite continuing economic uncertainty impacting overall growth, holiday retail sales are still likely to increase by <a ljsid-1=\"\"><span ljsid-1-0=\"\">3</span>.<span ljsid-1-2=\"\">5</span>% to <span ljsid-1-4=\"\">4</span>.<span ljsid-1-6=\"\">6</span>% in <span ljsid-1-8=\"\">2023</span></a>, according to Deloitte. Consumer sentiment also rose to its highest point in two years this summer, and slowing inflation means that customers are feeling hopeful and ready to shop.":1,"#iQmetrix | How to Maximize 2023 Holiday Sales with Strategic…":1,"#Book a demo today!":1,"#Interested in learning more about Shiftlab in time for the holiday season?":1,"#, using an intelligent workforce management platform can drastically improve employee engagement and retail sales. And the great in-store experience you create will keep customers loyal and coming back well into the future.":1,"#Get ready for another busy holiday shopping season.":1,"#holidays or are looking ahead to":1,"#Whether you want to implement a scheduling solution before the":1,"#If telecom retailers gave scheduling as much attention year-round as they do during the holidays, it would have a major impact on cost optimization.":1,"#Treat the whole year like the holiday season.":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\">Reach out to college students who have worked for you in the past </strong>who are home for the holidays and could use extra cash. There will be less training involved since they’re already familiar with your products and sales process.":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\">Temporarily switch some part-time staff to full-time,</strong> if they agree. Moving your workforce from <span ljsid-2=\"\">37</span> hours to <span ljsid-4=\"\">41</span> during holiday season scales your staffing model up by <span ljsid-6=\"\">10</span>% without adding to your January staffing overage.":1,"#<strong ljsid-0=\"\">If you’re a multi-location retailer, consider the <span ljsid-0-1=\"\"></span><span ljsid-0-3=\"\">“</span>substitute teacher” model. </strong>Hire seasonal employees in a pool instead of assigning them to specific store locations. This not only gives your seasonal hires a flexible schedule with more hours, but it also helps each of your locations boost or reduce staff as needed over the holidays.":1,"#Finally, the holidays are a great time to get creative with your scheduling as needed. We’ve collected a few tips from our retail clients:":1,"#You might find it helpful to use an app, like Shiftlab, that has schedule locking and approval features, so that November and December schedules are locked down early. After that, all changes need to flow through leadership so everyone stays in the loop.":1,"#Make sure to be collaborative and include your district managers in the scheduling process, since they have their fingers on the pulse when it comes to unique staffing needs for their regions. Get them involved early to review schedules so they can identify any potential issues before they become reality for in-store staff.":1,"#An unpredictable work schedule (especially over the holidays) can be challenging for retail staff. Since employee retention is more important than ever, you want to ensure that you schedule holiday shifts as far in advance as possible.":1,"#Always be proactive, collaborative, and creative with scheduling.":1,"#Automating or streamlining time-consuming or mundane tasks for your team, or simply making their lives easier with the right tools, can make a big difference in employee engagement and retention during this busy season.":1,"#For district and store managers, using an app like Shiftlab’s <a ljsid-1=\"\">Store Pulse</a> lets them leverage real-time store data so they can identify and resolve issues quickly. From late store openings to overtime trends, managers can stay on top of what’s happening at their stores throughout the day. This real-time information enables managers to communicate more effectively, deal with operational issues as they arise, and easily make more strategic decisions.":1,"#Empower your team with tools to help streamline processes, save time, and make better decisions faster — this can go a long way in making their time with your business a positive one. For example, you can equip your team with a mobile app that lets them easily see their schedules, who they’re working with, and how they’re performing, to keep them engaged and motivated.":1,"#Retail’s famously high turnover rates have only increased over the past few years, and employee retention is more important than ever. Anything you can do to make things easier for your team will act as a retention tactic. Keeping employees satisfied and selling when your store is at peak capacity during the holidays is a huge win.":1,"#Empower your staff by setting them up with the right tools.":1,"#Retailers who use Shiftlab’s predictive forecasting are achieving scheduling accuracy of<strong ljsid-1=\"\"> <span ljsid-1-1=\"\">95</span>% and greater</strong>—thereby increasing their sales, average transaction value, and guest satisfaction scores through smarter schedules.":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">“</span>There’s a ton of data you can use to calibrate your schedules,” said <a ljsid-2=\"\">Devin Shrake</a>, founder and CEO of Shiftlab. <span ljsid-4=\"\"></span><span ljsid-6=\"\">“</span>With AI, you can draw actionable insights from that data much quicker than with traditional business intelligence techniques. Telecom retailers must use that to their advantage during the holidays and the rest of the year.”":1,"#Since historic data can’t tell you everything you need to know about future demand fluctuations, AI-driven algorithms that can learn from other schedules and stores are the key to forecasting accurately. For example, Shiftlab’s AI-driven forecasting engine uses historic sales data, recent trends, and event effects to accurately predict the labor demand for each location down to the hour.":1,"#Luckily, the rise of AI-backed solutions can help retailers take the guesswork out of forecasting to accurately predict labor demand.":1,"#With the ever-changing telecom retail landscape, it can be hard to predict demand for your stores. But despite the uncertainty, forecasting remains a critical part of creating optimized schedules.":1,"#Leverage artificial intelligence for smarter forecasting.":1,"#check the box” task this holiday season.":1,"#Whether or not you use a tool to help, empower your managers to treat the scheduling process as more than just a":1,"#Most telecom retail teams simply don’t have the time or resources to do this manually. Fortunately, advanced workforce management tools like <a ljsid-1=\"\">Shiftlab</a>, integrated with your point-of-sale and retail management software, make the process easier by doing all the analysis for you. It combines real-time point-of-sale data with time and attendance data to schedule your staff at ideal times, <strong ljsid-3=\"\">increasing profitability per employee by <span ljsid-3-1=\"\">5</span>%, decreasing downtime or wasted hours by <span ljsid-3-3=\"\">6</span>%, and boosting guest satisfaction scores by <span ljsid-3-5=\"\">15</span>%.</strong>":1,"#By analyzing all of this information, you can more easily schedule the right person for the right shift at the right time. You can avoid under- or over-staffing, and provide the best customer experience possible during the busiest time of the year.":1,"#Real-time reporting on KPIs (store level and C-suite level)":1,"#Store location data and employee & management info":1,"#Individual employee sales data":1,"#Store-specific forecasting and trend data":1,"#Creating a performance-based schedule means considering a lot of different factors:":1,"#Many managers schedule to employee preferences or treat the scheduling process like a mundane operational task. But performance-based scheduling enables managers to think more strategically about how to position their team for success during the holidays — giving them the tools to maximize performance and make decisions based on real-time business trends.":1,"#is the answer.":1,"#Performance-based scheduling":1,"#To take full advantage of the increase in foot traffic and provide a great guest experience during the holidays, you want to ensure you have your best people working the busiest shifts.":1,"#Use performance-based scheduling to boost profitability.":1,"#Tips for Strategic Scheduling":1,"#In addition, creating a great shopping experience can make a huge difference in your sales, competitiveness, and customer loyalty — <a ljsid-1=\"\"><span ljsid-1-0=\"\">54</span>% of consumers</a> would stop doing business with a brand after one bad experience.By putting together the best possible schedule, you can proactively tackle these problems, improve your guest and employee experience, and increase your revenue.":1,"#Strategic scheduling for retail simply means putting together an optimal scheduling plan using a combination of store and employee performance data, real-time updates, and time-saving tools like AI, automation, and mobile apps.The holiday season is an extremely busy time for everyone, from your managers to your floor staff to your customers. Increased demand and store traffic, short-staffing, high turnover rates, and scheduling complications (due to time off, sickness, etc.) all contribute to a challenging few months for retail owners and managers.":1,"#There are many important dates, including deadlines, to remember, but we marked the key ones to keep top of mind:":1,"#First things first: mark your calendar. The key is not only to start early but to plan ahead (read, not starting and filing in April).":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">1</span>. Make a plan and stick to it":1,"#iQmetrix | 5 Strategies to Get Through Tax Season":1,"#5 Strategies to Get Through Tax Season":1,"#We interviewed resident finance expert, Theresa VanderVeen, for financial tips and tricks to help wireless retailers get through tax season.":1,"#RQ tracks inventory purchases, reconciliation transactions, sales data, is cloud-based and has Quickbooks and other integrations to help manage every facet of retail management. Get the whitepaper to learn more.":1,"#Let’s dive in!":1,"#But what if there was a solution out there that fit your business, prepared you for the future of your industry, and didn’t cause a headache when it came time to rollout?":1,"#When you’re a busy retailer, trying to meet (and exceed) the rising expectations of today’s modern consumer, changing your retail technology is likely low on your priority list. Not only can you not afford any downtime with your retail software, you also don’t want to take your employee’s time away from selling.":1,"#Want more?":1,"#From a retailer’s perspective, less busy Tuesdays are a great time to set up operational practices inside their stores of completing the pesky operational tasks done, such as organizing the storage room, processing return merchandise authorization (RMA’s). Consider creating a checklist and holding your team to it making sure they’re accountable.”":1,"#We asked Teresa what the most important takeaway for retailers is to become, and stay, more organized:":1,"#Then you have time to give yourself a chance to do the other things you like doing. If you do start to feel overwhelmed, or your numbers are off, sometimes it’s as simple as getting up, walking around, having a conversation about something different for <span ljsid-1=\"\">20</span>, <span ljsid-3=\"\">30</span> minutes it gives your mind the space to come back and look objectively for the thing your trying to find.":1,"#It only takes one hour per week.":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">5</span>. Set up a routine":1,"#Read more <a ljsid-1=\"\">here </a>to learn how to protect yourself and your business.":1,"#We interviewed resident finance expert, Teresa VanderVeen, to get important planning and financial tips, tricks, and strategies that are guaranteed to help you, and your wireless business, get through tax season.":1,"#So, how can retailers protect themselves, and their stores, from fraud?":1,"#Scammers target people who are vulnerable and one may think it’s impossible to fall for a scam, but fraud organizations are highly skilled. Not only do they target vulnerable people but also those who are under pressure during a busy time in the workplace.":1,"#Turns out, it wasn’t:":1,"#Teresa runs a catering business in her spare time and spoke to how her husband received an email from one of their small, local vendors stating they did their invoice wrong, that money was owed, and must be repaid immediately. He knew to take pause, reach out directly to the vendor to see if the notice was legitimate.":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">4</span>. Beware of scams":1,"#Take the same thing and apply it to your accounting software. Ask yourself, how can I use this to help me manage my assets and the things I need to manage long term?":1,"#Popular opinion: filing taxes is everyone’s least favorite thing to do, perhaps only bested by having a tooth pulled. Yet, like it or not, it’s that time of year again: Tax filing season officially began on January <span ljsid-1=\"\">27</span><sup ljsid-2=\"\">th</sup>. And before you know it, April <span ljsid-4=\"\">15</span><sup ljsid-5=\"\">th</sup>, the deadline to file, will be here.":1,"#For example, think about the equipment that you purchase for your stores. Whatever system you’re using for managing your business, you should be able to create those large purchase items and check them into your system.":1,"#There are tons of different accounting management technologies out there, from Quickbooks to simple mileage counting apps that can help you streamline processes come tax season. Teresa often challenges retailers to think about how they can use existing accounting software outside its intended purpose.":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">3</span>. Think differently about how to make technology work for you":1,"#What big purchases did you make last year that need to be written off?":1,"#Did you get back all the money you were supposed to from RMAs?":1,"#Are your inventory counts accurate, so you aren’t paying tax on inventory that isn’t in your store?":1,"#Are all of your transfers where they need to be?":1,"#Are your purchase orders are up to speed?":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">2</span>. Make sure everything is closed out":1,"#Most importantly, set a cadence.":1,"#March <span ljsid-1=\"\">2</span><sup ljsid-2=\"\">nd </sup>is the deadline for farmers and fishermen to file <span ljsid-4=\"\">2018</span> income tax return (Form <span ljsid-6=\"\">1040</span>) and pay any tax due. However, you have until April <span ljsid-8=\"\">17</span><sup ljsid-9=\"\">th</sup> to file if you paid your <span ljsid-11=\"\">2019</span> estimated tax by January <span ljsid-13=\"\">17</span><sup ljsid-14=\"\">th</sup> <span ljsid-16=\"\">2020</span>.":1,"#February <span ljsid-1=\"\">28</span><sup ljsid-2=\"\">th</sup> : Deadline for businesses to submit forms <span ljsid-4=\"\">1099</span> and <span ljsid-6=\"\">1096</span>, if filing on paper. These documents relate to business transactions that aren’t covered by W<span ljsid-8=\"\">2</span> (anything that falls outside of tips and wages – hiring an independent contractor, etc.). If filing electronically, the deadline is March <span ljsid-10=\"\">31</span>.":1,"#February <span ljsid-1=\"\">15</span><sup ljsid-2=\"\">th</sup> <span ljsid-4=\"\">2020</span>: Deadline for businesses to give annual statements to recipients of specific payments made in <span ljsid-6=\"\">2019</span>. Business can use the appropriate version of Form <span ljsid-8=\"\">1099</span>. Form <span ljsid-10=\"\">1099</span> can be issued electronically with the consent of the recipient.":1,"#April <span ljsid-1=\"\">30</span><sup ljsid-2=\"\">th</sup>: CRA requires most business owners submit their tax returns by April <span ljsid-4=\"\">30</span><sup ljsid-5=\"\">th</sup>, or six months after their fiscal year if they observe a non-calendar fiscal year.":1,"#February <span ljsid-1=\"\">24</span><sup ljsid-2=\"\">th</sup>: Employees must be sent a T<span ljsid-4=\"\">4</span> information slip by the last day of February following the year to which the information slips apply.":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">5</span> Strategies to Get Through Tax Season":1,"#+ Current Users":1,"#Orchestrate every store, every channel, and every customer moment, elevating experiences, unlocking new growth, and driving measurable efficiency at scale.":1,"#AI has reshaped how commerce runs. The question is whether your architecture can run with it.":1,"#The Intelligent Commerce Operating System is how we deliver on both.":1,"#Our mission is to transform the way the world buys, sells, and activates devices.":1,"#Our purpose is to create great experiences.":1,"#For more than <span ljsid-1=\"\">27</span> years, iQmetrix has operated at the centre of telecom commerce. Our deep expertise and sector-wide relationships give us an overarching perspective on what works and what’s coming next.":1,"#Why iQmetrix is built for this.":1,"#Proven — Decades at the centre of telecom commerce, now evolved.":1,"#Interconnected — Direct integrations into telcos, activations, and partners.":1,"#Intelligent — AI embedded in how the system runs, not bolted on after.":1,"#Orchestrated — One system coordinating the entire experience, end to end.":1,"#It is both the system of record for retail and the orchestration layer for commerce.":1,"#An Intelligent Commerce Operating System is the foundational layer that orchestrates every action, decision, and transaction across digital and physical commerce.":1,"#The category, defined.":1,"#Commerce Operating System?":1,"#What is an Intelligent":1,"#Built to be extended. Built to be consumed by AI. Built for agentic retail.":1,"#From the interfaces your people use every day, to the orchestration that connects every journey, to the intelligent agents embedded in every business domain — all powered by a data layer that turns every transaction into actionable intelligence.":1,"#Five composable layers, wrapped by event-driven orchestration — powering every transaction, every channel, and every interaction in telecom retail.":1,"#Commerce flows. Data moves. Experiences scale.":1,"#Intelligent Commerce replaces brittle, one-off integrations with a platform built to evolve. It gives telcos and retailers the freedom to move faster today, while staying ready for what comes next.":1,"#AI acts on connected data, driving what happens next":1,"#Stores operate with less overhead and more precision":1,"#Launches that took six months take weeks":1,"#Customer journeys complete without breaking, digital to physical":1,"#The only path to modern telecom commerce.":1,"#Why Intelligent Commerce Matters":1,"#An Intelligent Commerce OS replaces fragmented tech stacks with a unified architecture designed to evolve.":1,"#Every layer of cost grows — TCO, CAC, and cost to serve":1,"#Customer and employee experiences suffer":1,"#Innovation becomes risky":1,"#Data becomes unreliable":1,"#Transactions slow down":1,"#When systems aren't intelligent:":1,"#Experience is not something you add at the end. It is the outcome of how your systems work together.":1,"#AI on top of fragmentation doesn't fix the tech stack, it just makes the cost grow faster.":1,"#AI can't be bolted on":1,"#These systems were designed to track the business, not to run it. And they show their age every day, across every channel.":1,"#Platforms that can’t support AI":1,"#Manual workarounds and swivel-chair workflows":1,"#Brittle one-to-one integrations and architectural debt":1,"#Disconnected systems and unreliable data":1,"#The longer it runs, the more it costs.":1,"#Telcos and retailers are still running on systems built for a different era. Every transaction is recorded, but nothing is truly understood. Every workflow exists, but nothing is orchestrated.":1,"#POS, CRM, ecommerce, consumer apps, inventory, and activations all stitched together over decades.":1,"#Legacy tech stacks track the business. They don't run it.":1,"#iQmetrix Intelligent Commerce Operating System":1,"#Start Now":1,"#Intelligent Commerce OS orchestrates every action, decision, and transaction across digital and physical channels so telecom commerce runs as one continuous, intelligent system. Built for AI to act, architecture to support it, and execution in real-time.":1,"#The agentic foundation modern telecom commerce is built on.":1,"#Introducing the":1,"#by PayBright on Jul <span ljsid-1=\"\">27</span>, <span ljsid-3=\"\">2020</span>":1,"#by Devin Shrake, Co-Founder, Shiftlab on Sep <span ljsid-1=\"\">27</span>, <span ljsid-3=\"\">2021</span>":1,"#About ReBiz":1,"#Rebiz Health Compliance Infographic":1,"#Case Study: During The Hectic Holiday Season, ICM Wireless Maintained Accurate Traffic Counts With The Help Of Datacam":1,"#Blog Post: What is Rebiz?":1,"#Comply with COVID Safety Regulations The Rebiz Way!":1,"#During The Hectic Holiday Season, ICM Wireless Maintained Accurate Traffic Counts With The Help Of Datacam":1,"#What is Rebiz?":1,"#Loss Prevention":1,"#Store Opening and closing times":1,"#Customizable":1,"#Store Empty":1,"#Store Idle Hours":1,"#Scheduling Advisor":1,"#Employee time log/evaluations/analysis":1,"#Employee-Level Conversion":1,"#Employee-Level Traffic":1,"#Employee Idle Hours":1,"#Average Customer Interaction Time":1,"#Wait Time":1,"#Unattended Customers":1,"#True Traffic":1,"#Data Analytics — ReBiz’s proprietary software provides in-depth analytics through customizable monitoring. With ReBiz you will be able to see the most accurate store traffic reporting in the industry. Store and employee-level conversion reporting, as well as scheduling adviser tools, help to make sure your stores are staffed according to your business’s needs.":1,"#Learn about Datacam with iQmetrix Partner ReBiz":1,"#Datacam is the only patented software that uses camera vision technology to analyze and optimize your three greatest assets: your customers, your store, and your employees. This technology revolutionizes the business analytics industry because Datacam isn’t just a monitoring software; it’s a management tool. Through Datacam, you’re able to see the most accurate traffic counts and the breakdown of employee-level conversions. This solution is also completely customizable. We work with you to build software that fits the needs of your business. From monitoring and analyzing your traffic to evaluating the performance of your employees, no other data solutions company provides a product as accurate and as informative as Datacam.":1,"#Rebiz Solutions":1,"#It’s not just about having coverage at the right times, but also have the right coverage. In the hospitality business, for example, switching out one bartender’s shift with another might not make a difference to drink sales. But in commission-based retail sectors, such as telecom, the sales associate who is on shift during high-sales hours can make a big difference. Especially when shortages of staff members can result in having inexperienced associates on staff, it is crucial to have your top performers working when you really need them. A powerful workforce management solution will enable you to schedule your top sales performer at the strategic times when they will make the biggest impact, so that you can get the best experience and the times the matter the most.":1,"#Using the right employees":1,"#As data people, we love analyzing detailed sales and traffic metrics and providing our customers with a calculated decision on their store hours. Looking at this information is essential, as it not only affects your labor’s productivity but also is the foundation for the staff shifts that you’re creating. For example, a store that is open from <span ljsid-1=\"\">9</span>am to <span ljsid-3=\"\">8</span>pm often has staff shifts that are <span ljsid-5=\"\">9</span>am to <span ljsid-7=\"\">5</span>pm. But when you examine most stores’ sales patterns, you might see that <span ljsid-9=\"\">9</span>am isn’t productive, and an associate leaving at <span ljsid-11=\"\">5</span>pm is the worst time, as you are about to see a post-work-day rush of customers. A simple switch to opening at <span ljsid-13=\"\">10</span>am would scoot those employee shifts, providing you better coverage while likely reducing labor costs.":1,"#Optimizing store hours":1,"#Generic nine-to-five shift types are not built for retail, where stores are open into the evening and there is a post-work-day customer rush. If your employees are just placing eight-hour shifts where they want to work , that won’t result optimally for the retailer. Instead of churning out the same workforce scheduling patterns, take a fresh look at what will work best for your store. The way to think about scheduling is to look at the data to understand your busy days and times and maximize coverage when you need it. For example, we see our best managers place shorter shifts on slow days — like from <span ljsid-1=\"\">9</span>am to <span ljsid-3=\"\">3</span>pm on a Tuesday, for example. This means that the manager can extend that employee’s coverage on a busy Friday or Saturday, from <span ljsid-5=\"\">10</span>am to <span ljsid-7=\"\">8</span>pm, where the sales volume is likely to be higher.":1,"#Strategic scheduling":1,"#Here are five solutions for maximizing staff scheduling efficiency:":1,"#Why Your Telecom Retail Operations Need Intelligent Workforce…":1,"#In this time of staff shortages, using a data-driven employee management system will help you revamp your workforce scheduling and rethink operating hours":1,"#Devin Shrake, Co-Founder, Shiftlab":1,"#Analysis of historical sales data, compared with workforce schedules bears this out. One metric that is helpful to look at is unproductive hours. On average, companies began using the Shiftlab offering in <span ljsid-1=\"\">2020</span> had more than <span ljsid-3=\"\">50</span>% of labor hours clocked during times with zero sales volume. Results from these clients ranged from <span ljsid-5=\"\">70</span>% of labor hours being unproductive downtime to <span ljsid-7=\"\">30</span>% for some companies that were super optimized.":1,"#Interesting in learning more about Shiftlab’s data-driven telecom workforce management solutions?":1,"#Especially in retail, the management of store operations and scheduling creates a major difference in your guest experience and your profit optimization. A couple of tweaks in any of the categories above naturally eliminates unproductive hours and ultimately gives your customers a much better experience.":1,"#Too often, retail operators are compromising their workforce scheduling based on using a cumbersome tool that is not designed to be adaptable. It’s important to use a flexible system that’s highly configurable, so that you can use the strategy that works for your specific store locations, and the tool simply executes this for you. This tool also needs to allow you to scale for the size of your retail operations without losing its adaptability, so even if you are a cruise-ship-sized retail organization, you can make strategic moves like a jet ski. The right workforce management tool relies on data to thrive. Now that Shiftlab has been acquired by iQmetrix, which offers advanced data and reporting in its market-leading retail management system, we can build integrations that will create even more <a ljsid-1=\"\">intelligent workforce scheduling</a> and a seamless client experience.":1,"#Using an intelligent, flexible, data-driven scheduling tool":1,"#Break percentages are hard to calculate. Are your team members taking their allotted breaks, or are they just slipping out of the store an hour earlier each day? The retailers we work with typically have between <span ljsid-1=\"\">10</span>% and <span ljsid-3=\"\">75</span>% of shifts where breaks are being taken — a wide range. Not only do breaks help optimize for slow times during the day, but they also stretch out your scheduling pattern to cover the hours that matter most. There’s so much downtime in the middle of the day, if you can schedule your associate to take a lunch break at a strategic time instead of leaving early, then you don’t negatively affect customer service and you get to keep that person in the store for longer, which is important for a lean retailer. Consider this: the difference between <span ljsid-5=\"\">10</span>% and <span ljsid-7=\"\">75</span>% is nearly $<span ljsid-9=\"\">10</span>,<span ljsid-11=\"\">000</span> of labor per store per year that could be eliminated or redistributed to busier times.":1,"#Leveraging employee breaks":1,"#For any retailer, labor management is a fundamental part of daily store operations and should be treated as an important business strategy that requires creativity and insight. But overworked store managers and a lack of data can mean employee scheduling is treated as a cookie-cutter task, rather than a key piece of the operation requiring thought, strategy, and effective planning to produce the highest ROI. Standardizing the scheduling process creates a shocking number of labor hours clocked by employees that result in zero sales . This fact is particularly galling in a time when the retail sector is suffering severe employee shortages.":1,"#6 Reasons Canada’s Biggest E-commerce Stores Offer Buy Now, Pay Later":1,"#Increase efficiency with automated resources and replace manual processes.":1,"#Improve tax compliance at the point of sale online and offline.":1,"#Manage your license portfolio.":1,"#Simplify sales tax registration and business licenses, no matter the size of your business.":1,"#Store and manage certificates in the cloud for easy access.":1,"#Get Your Risk Free Assessment":1,"#Quick turnaround: Once we get your questionnaire results, expect our analysis within three business days":1,"#Avalara Content Generation for POS":1,"#Track nexus and get alerts in each state with our interactive map.":1,"#Follow rate changes for every address with geospatial targeting.":1,"#Integrate with your existing system or add our edge computing solution for one-click integration and automated routing.":1,"#Automate the registration for sales tax in all states where you are obligated to collect and remit.":1,"#Avalara Products and Solutions for Retail Businesses":1,"#Reduce risk of audits and noncompliance with more accurate and timely content.":1,"#Avalara Returns":1,"#Improve customer experience at checkout with prompt tax calculation via the cloud or offline.":1,"#Automate the preparation and filing of state and local returns, including electronic filing as required.":1,"#Avalara Exemption Certificate Management":1,"#Gain flexibility and control over tax content data and processes.":1,"#Automate the collection, validation, and application of exemption certificates at the point of sale in person, over the phone, or online to reduce errors, credits, and rebills and to prevent over and underpayments.":1,"#Business Licenses":1,"#Figuring out on your own where you owe sales tax can be complicated and risky. Guidance from Avalara’s team of experts makes it easier.":1,"#Automatically omit tax from exempt sales and efficiently manage exemption documentation from the cloud.":1,"#Offload the returns process, from preparation and filing to remittance. Track various filing calendars and manage requirements for each jurisdiction.":1,"#Sales Tax Risk Assessment":1,"#Calculations":1,"#Sales tax compliance for retail companies":1,"#Get sales and use tax calculations based on the latest rules and rates delivered to supply line or invoicing applications in real time.":1,"#Avalara Solutions":1,"#Returns":1,"#What’s included:":1,"#Tax rules, rates, and boundaries make up a layered, three-dimensional web that constantly finds new ways to trip businesses up. Avalara works with businesses of all sizes to help simplify tax compliance by providing accurate calculations in real time. Its comprehensive suite of solutions includes prebuilt integrations that connect to the systems you trust, as well as a robust API for businesses that prefer building their own systems. Regardless of the industry you’re in or the tax types you encounter, Avalara can help you save time, free up resources, and reduce risk — so you can focus on what matters most to your business. To learn more, go to <a ljsid-1=\"\">www.avalara.com</a>.":1,"#The reason for this growth? New habits created in the early pandemic! While <span ljsid-1=\"\">2022</span> has seen shoppers returning to in-person shopping, <a ljsid-3=\"\">two thirds (<span ljsid-3-1=\"\">67</span>%) of US shoppers surveyed in one survey had used BOPIS</a> (Buy Online, Pick-up In Store) in late <span ljsid-5=\"\">2021</span> and early <span ljsid-7=\"\">2022</span>, and <span ljsid-9=\"\">49</span>% of those shoppers made an additional purchase while picking up their items in-store.":1,"#– the largest annual increase in":1,"#saw an explosion of retail activity as consumers hungry for a return to pre-pandemic holiday traditions drove":1,"#The pandemic saw a seismic shift in shopping habits, with a massive <span ljsid-1=\"\">64</span>.<span ljsid-3=\"\">1</span>% increase in e-commerce sales from <span ljsid-5=\"\">2019</span> to <span ljsid-7=\"\">2021</span>. This year’s economic woes will only accelerate this continuing shift. Despite forecasted overall spending decreases, Deloitte projects a growth of <span ljsid-9=\"\">12</span>.<span ljsid-11=\"\">8</span>% to <span ljsid-13=\"\">14</span>.<span ljsid-15=\"\">3</span>% in holiday e-commerce sales.":1,"#<a ljsid-0=\"\">Consumer’s holiday budgets have shrunk</a>, with <span ljsid-2=\"\">73</span>% saying they’re watching their spending more closely in <span ljsid-4=\"\">2022</span>.":1,"#This free <span ljsid-1=\"\">90</span>-minute virtual keynote on Wednesday, October <span ljsid-3=\"\">19</span> at <span ljsid-5=\"\">11</span>am ET will offer an unmissable overview of industry trends, <span ljsid-7=\"\">2023</span> forecasts, market disruptions, and key barriers the telecom sector is facing.":1,"#Interested in this topic and other leading-edge industry trends updates? Register to attend the <span ljsid-1=\"\">2022</span> Telecom Industry Address!":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">2</span>. Plan to roll out your best promotions early":1,"#The businesses that will have the advantage this holiday season are those that are able to maintain the loyalty of customers they already have through great customer experiences like timely relevant offers, personalization, and seamless online-to-in-store shopping.":1,"#years. However, high inflation has left many consumers tightening their belts as they struggle to afford necessities.":1,"#So how can wireless retailers stay ahead of trends and plan for a successful shopping season? By knowing the market trends to watch and doing the work now to get ahead of whatever might come next.":1},"version":4635}]