Is optimizing labor really code for finding ways to cut labor hours across stores?

Published on January 25th, 2016

finding ways to cut

The most successful retailers treat labor optimization as a science that is based on:

  • Understanding and quantifying work
  • Eliminating waste or work that does not add value
  • Establishing accurate labor budgets that are store, department and time specific
  • Scheduling teammates to perform the right tasks at the right time
  • And having metrics in place to ensure that improving efficiency does not come at the expense of customer satisfaction, safety and employee morale

This article also appears on LinkedIn – click here to read it and follow Rick Schlenker.

Recent Posts

Smarter Retail Staffing Starts Here: Strategies That Fortify Engagement, Service, and Profit

2026-03-17

Learn smarter retail staffing strategies to improve employee engagement, elevate service, and drive profitability across store operations.

Read More
Smarter Retail Staffing
Retail Store Teams Are Stretched Thin. Here’s What That Means for Execution and Experience

2026-03-17

Retail store teams are stretched thin, leading to execution gaps, rising turnover, and poor customer experiences. Here’s what the data reveals and how leading retailers are responding.

Read More
Frontline Store Operations
The Retail Workforce Tipping Point: Why 2026 Is a Turning Year

2026-03-12

New retail workforce research reveals rising burnout, staffing shortages, and a growing gap between store operations and modern shopper expectations.

Read More
The Retail Workforce Tipping Point