Q4 Quick Tip #3:

Training & Reviewing Store procedures

From your newest staff members to employees who have been with you for years, every single person on your team can use a review of procedures coming into the busiest season.

November is the perfect time to make sure that your team feels confident using your store’s POS (point of sale) system particularly when it comes to your loyalty program, gift cards and returns/exchanges. Many of you will benefit if your staff has familiarity with your inventory control processes and shipping procedures, as well.

• If you have employees who return to work seasonally, it’s important to review what has changed since they last worked in your store.

• For many retailers, gift card sales and redemptions are not daily transactions, so it’s important to review any gift card guidelines with all employees review exactly how to ring them up in your POS system when sold or redeemed.

• All staff members should know which categories, departments or lines have additional back stock and exactly where they can find things quickly.

Pro tip #1: Try to eliminate the need for back stock on your most popular items. Rather than have a little bit of everything in the back room, it’s much easier for your staff if you only have back stock of certain things. For instance, for popular sellers like candles and tea towels, keep all stock on the sales floor and only use backroom space for bigger items or things that are more easily restocked as they sell.

Keep reading for more pro tips that include three retailers’ specific reasoning and one insight from a retailer who disagrees that cross-training is a good idea. Plus, I’ll share some ideas for ensuring your entire team is up-to-speed for the fourth quarter critical selling period.