Orquest maximizes business efficiency through optimal employee scheduling and automation.
Size and plan your in-store teams to provide the best customer service and maximize your performance.
Jan 28 2025
Once again, Orquest made its mark at NRF 2025, the premier event where retailers from everywhere gather to discuss the industry’s future. This year, our team engaged with industry leaders, old friends, and new connections, all eager to explore how technology, particularly AI-driven scheduling, can transform workforce management and store operations. As we delved into the most pressing challenges retailers face today, one common theme emerged: balancing operational efficiency with a people-first approach to retail.
One of the key insights from NRF 2025 was the growing recognition that retail success hinges on people. Target’s CEO, Brian Cornell, emphasized that their growth, whether in revenue, store remodels, or digital expansion, was not driven solely by boardroom strategies but by investing in and listening to their people.
“We spend a lot of time with our front-line teams, asking questions, listening to them, understanding their needs,” Cornell shared during his keynote session. This people-first approach resonated deeply with Orquest’s mission, as we continue to develop solutions that empower retailers to prioritize their workforce while optimizing operations.
As operational challenges grow more complex, retailers must adopt strategies that balance efficiency with employee well-being. Target’s “Prepare for Next” program, a co-created initiative with store managers that helps them focus on leadership development, collaboration, and problem-solving, exemplifies how leading retailers are proactively nurturing their teams and future leaders and proving that investing in people and tools that help them result in long-term success.
While workforce management has always been at the core of retail operations, the introduction of AI is fundamentally transforming how businesses optimize their teams. NRF 2025 showcased numerous examples of AI-powered solutions enhancing retail operations. David Roth, CEO of The Store – WPP, described AI as a “force multiplier” that can revolutionize every aspect of a retailer’s operation, from staffing and scheduling to customer interactions.
For instance, Albertsons has leveraged AI to improve the training of its 275,000 frontline associates. Rather than relying on senior employees to train newcomers, AI-driven tools provide real-time guidance and support, improving efficiency while reducing the burden on experienced staff. Similarly, Lidl uses AI to translate and summarize training materials for employees, ensuring they receive the necessary information quickly and effectively.
At Orquest, we believe that AI-driven scheduling plays a crucial role in balancing operational efficiency with employee satisfaction. Our solution helps retailers forecast demand, allocate resources efficiently, and create schedules that align with business needs while supporting employee work-life balance. As retailers continue to navigate challenges such as high turnover rates and evolving customer expectations, AI-powered workforce solutions will become indispensable.
When asked about the biggest challenges facing retail today, industry leaders at NRF 2025 pointed to four key areas: operational efficiency, customer experience, employee well-being, and regulatory compliance. However, operational efficiency stood out as the most pressing concern.
Retailers are striving to optimize every aspect of store operations, from inventory management to employee scheduling. Tapestry’s Vice President of Omni, Trang To, highlighted the need to harness in-store data with the same rigor applied to online operations. “On our sites, I know what the consumer is clicking on, how much time she’s spending, her experience through checkout. In stores, I’m not harnessing it in the same way,” she noted. AI-driven insights are emerging as powerful tools to bridge this gap, offering real-time data to optimize in-store experiences and labor productivity.
At the same time, compliance with labor laws and regulations remains a top concern. Retailers must ensure that their workforce management practices align with evolving regulations, especially in regions with stringent labor laws. Orquest’s AI-powered solution helps retailers gather the necessary in-store data to optimize staffing and stay compliant by automatically generating schedules that adhere to labor regulations, ensuring both efficiency and fairness.
As we look toward the future, it’s clear that the retail industry is entering a new era where technology and human-centric strategies must go hand in hand. Whether through AI-powered workforce solutions, leadership development programs, or data-driven decision-making, retailers must embrace innovation to stay ahead.
At NRF 2025, the discussions made it evident that retailers who prioritize their people while leveraging advanced technologies will be best positioned for success. Orquest remains committed to helping retailers navigate these challenges by providing the most innovative and effective retail teams scheduling solution that optimize store efficiency while enhancing the employee experience.
In closing, NRF 2025 reaffirmed that the future of retail is not just about adopting new technologies—it’s about creating a harmonious balance between operational excellence and the well-being of the people who make it all happen. As retailers gear up for the years ahead, Orquest will continue to be at the forefront, empowering businesses to thrive in an evolving landscape.