Kevin Graff

CSD: The Economic Reality of Recruiting

August 4, 2010

FROM RETAILWIRE:
Just 24 months ago, anyone who wanted a frontline, hourly worker's job only needed a pulse to get hired. Now, it is harder than ever to attract the best and repel the rest. How should hiring practices adapt to deal effectively with the current economic climate and job market?      [more...]

Recruiting, retention, motivation, productivity; these are the ongoing challenges retailers always face regardless of the economic climate. If you're a retailer, it's just what you do (kind of like breathing).

The question is, what needs to change? Well, nothing really if you've been doing the basics right all along. However, if you've been doing a lousy job of screening, interviewing, managing, training and coaching, then lots has to change.

My point is that everything in retail is getting more competitive (store designs, pricing, promos, supply chain, etc). Retailers need to pick up there game in every area. The reality is that the 'people' side of the business is still the weakest for most retailers. For those that 'get it', recruiting and retention isn't that big of a deal. For those that don't, there will always be a long list of reasons why staff are always the problem (when, in fact, they are the solution).