Shift bidding - you’ve probably heard this term thrown around in retail circles. But what does it really mean for grocery and retail operations in 2025?
In this blog, we’ll unpack this concept and most importantly how you can use it to stay ahead of today’s staffing challenges.
Why This Matters Now
If you’ve worked in grocery or retail for any length of time, you already know staffing the right people at the right times has always been one of the hardest parts of running a store.
In the past, managers would sometimes recruit family members of current employees just to keep the store running. In smaller towns, it wasn’t unusual to see a husband, wife, and teenager all on the same schedule. While this “all hands-on deck” approach might have worked occasionally, it was hardly sustainable.
And then there’s the familiar cycle many retailers know too well - Warm Body Syndrome. When applicants are scarce, anyone who shows up for an interview might get hired, regardless of fit. That’s not a recipe for long-term success.
A Modern-Day Example
Imagine you’re a store manager preparing for a busy season and you post:
- 1 deli clerk for closing shifts
- 1 bakery clerk for early morning shifts
- 1 front-end bagger after school
- 1 grocery stocker for overnights
You get one applicant for the deli, two for the bagger role—and zero for bakery or grocery. The dilemma? You’re still facing critical gaps, and the clock is ticking.
In 2025, that’s not just an inconvenience, it’s a competitive risk. Unstaffed roles don’t just slow service; they can damage customer loyalty and sales.
The Current Staffing Reality
Staffing challenges didn’t fade after the pandemic they evolved.
Today’s retail labor market is shaped by:
- Persistent labor shortages in key roles like bakery, deli, stocking, and overnight shifts
- Shifting worker expectations around flexibility, pay transparency, and scheduling control
- New competitors for labor, including gig platforms that offer same-day pay and pick-your-own-shift models
- Technology that enables workers to see and claim shifts instantly
Many employees now expect the same flexibility from retail employers that they see on gig work apps. That means old scheduling processes aren’t just inefficient, they can be a reason you lose good people.
The Problem
Retailers have shifts that need to be filled—but fewer applicants and higher employee expectations.
Being short-staffed for a day or two is one thing. Being short-staffed week after week means higher overtime costs, faster burnout, and increased turnover. You need a solution that works every day, not just during emergencies.
The Solution: Open Shift Bidding
Instead of assigning every shift from the top down, give your existing employees the power to choose where and when they want to work extra hours—right from their phones.
Let’s walk through how it could work:
Question 1: In a traditional schedule, what happens to unfilled shifts?
Answer: Managers scramble, often forcing overtime or leaving work undone.
Question 2: What if all employees could instantly see open shifts?
Answer: More people could opt in especially if they can do it with one click on an app.
Question 3: What if they could pick shifts in other departments or even sister locations?
Answer: Suddenly, your talent pool is larger and more flexible.
Question 4: What if employees could bid on shifts directly through a mobile app?
Answer: Managers spend less time chasing coverage, employees get more control, and you reduce burnout.
Why It Works
Open shift bidding flips the scheduling model from manager-driven to employee-empowered.
For employees:
- More flexibility to fit work around life
- Increased income opportunities
- Clear visibility into available shifts
For employers:
- Larger staffing pool (including sister locations)
- Faster shift coverage
- Improved morale and retention
Looking Ahead
In today’s ultra-competitive retail environment, the ability to adapt your staffing strategy isn’t just an operational advantage, it’s a survival skill. Open shift bidding harnesses technology to meet the modern workforce where they are, giving employees the autonomy they want and retailers the coverage they need. By embracing this model, you’re not only filling shifts you’re building a more engaged, loyal, and responsive team that can flex with customer demand. The retailers who act now will be the ones who turn staffing from a constant headache into a true competitive edge.