Resilience and innovation: Redefining UK retail in the post-Brexit era

UK retail in the post-Brexit era

UK retail in the post-Brexit era undergoes a seismic shift, grappling with a scarcity of frontline personnel within intricate regulatory mazes. Nevertheless, amidst this chaos, lies an unprecedented opportunity for retailers to redefine their staffing strategies through innovative paths like Orquest‘s AI-powered scheduling software.

As the effects of leaving the European Union (EU) begin to be felt, British retailers are at a crossroads. The decision to leave the eurozone has triggered a domino effect, amplifying labour shortages, reshaping regulatory frameworks and altering the very fundamentals of retail operations.

At the centre of this transformation lies the quest for resilience, the capacity to endure storms, overcome hurdles, and emerge fortified on the other side. It is within this crucible of adversity that pioneering solutions like Orquest come to the forefront.

In this article, we embark on a journey to unravel the intricate tapestry of UK retail in the post-Brexit era and explore the pivotal role played by Orquest in reshaping the future of retail store staffing strategy. We delve deep into the confluence of labour shortages, regulatory challenges, and market dynamics, shedding light on the myriad complexities facing UK retailers today.

Understanding UK retail in the post-Brexit Era

Prior to Brexit, EU-citizens constituted a cornerstone of the UK’s retail workforce, being one of the industries with higher shares of these workers according to the European Central Bank. Furthermore, research from the Greater London Authority’s Economics Unit has found that 13% of people working in the wholesale and retail industry in the capital were from the European Economic Area. 

However, with the UK’s divergence from the EU, labour dynamics have shifted, leaving retailers scrambling to bridge the chasm left by departing EU workers. The implications of this shortfall are profound, permeating every facet of store operations, from diminished service standards to logistical bottlenecks and reduced operational efficiency.

Compounding the labour conundrum are the regulatory hurdles unleashed by Brexit. The renegotiation of immigration policies, labour laws, and trade regulations has added layers of complexity to staffing strategies, leaving UK retailers with limited visibility and heightened uncertainty.

Changes in immigration policies have reshaped the composition of the retail workforce, erecting barriers to the recruitment of EU nationals and complicating the process of securing work permits for overseas staff. Moreover, shifts in labour laws and trade regulations necessitate recalibration of staffing practices to ensure compliance with evolving legal frameworks.

The emergence of new administrative requisites, such as visa applications and right-to-work checks, has compounded the administrative burden faced by retailers, exerting additional strain on already stretched resources.

In this volatile landscape, retailers must confront the dual challenge of labour scarcities and regulatory upheaval head-on, devising agile and adaptive staffing strategies to navigate the complexities of UK retail in the post-EU era.

Future-proofing UK retail strategies

As the UK’s separation from the EU takes hold, retailers in the island nation must nurture agile and adaptive strategies that will enable them to anticipate and respond to fast-changing market dynamics. This entails embracing innovation and investing in emerging solutions that leverage data, streamline operational processes and enhance efficiency.

Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) or data analytics, can enable them to stay ahead of the curve, optimise processes at a time of limited resources and remain competitive in an increasingly digital and dynamic marketplace.

By analysing sales behaviour, market trends and operational metrics, for instance, retailers can gain valuable insights into evolving consumer preferences and the dynamics of the UK retail in the post-Brexit era, to make informed decisions and remain agile in responding to changing business needs. 

AI-scheduling: redefining UK retail staffing strategy

Orquest embodies this approach. Empowered by AI and advanced analytics, Orquest transforms retailers’ attitude to workforce management. Its agile, flexible, and user-friendly software automates store employee scheduling, adjusting staffing resources to demand while ensuring full compliance with all regulatory requisites.

Here’s how it works:

Forecasting historical data

Orquest uses machine learning to analyse historical data for each store including ticket sales, items per ticket, and purchase patterns. By accurately forecasting demand behaviour, it enables retailers to proactively plan staffing levels, ensuring optimal coverage during peaks and minimising overstaffing during lulls.

Calculating staffing needs

Based on productivity metrics, budget constraints, and other relevant variables, Orquest calculates staffing needs with precision. By aligning workforce deployment with operational exigencies, Orquest facilitates efficient workload management while optimising resource utilisation.

Automating smart scheduling

Orquest automates the distribution of schedules and tasks, considering employee availability, skills, and preferences. This ensures that each employee is deployed where they are needed most, minimising customer wait times, expediting service delivery, and enhancing the overall customer experience.

The outcome? Significant cost reductions, elevated customer satisfaction, and improved time management, all essential for safeguarding the future of UK retail in the post-Brexit era.

-5% in cost savings

By optimising employee shifts and curtailing unnecessary operating expenses, Orquest helps retailers achieve a 5% reduction in labour costs, bolstering profitability.

Enhanced customer experience

By strategically positioning each employee to meet customer demand, Orquest mitigates queuing times, enhances service efficiency, and elevates the overall customer experience.

Time Efficiency

Orquest streamlines the scheduling process, cutting it by up to 90%, generating flexible schedules based on employee availability and preferences. This not only saves time for managers but also empowers employees with greater control over their work-life balance.

With a global footprint spanning 77 countries and over 250,000 employees scheduled working for international retail and fast food brands such as Dior, Zara, McDonald’s and Burger King, Orquest’s AI-powered software transcends mere scheduling. It emerges as a strategic ally, custom-crafted to address the unique operational challenges confronting UK retail in the post-EU era.

As retailers navigate its uncertainties, innovation, data-driven approaches, and strategic operations will emerge as critical drivers of success. By harnessing emerging tech solutions like Orquest and adopting a proactive stance towards challenges, retailers can fortify their operations and thrive amidst adversity.

Explore the transformative power of Orquest’s AI store employee scheduling and see how it can empower UK retailers to transcend challenges and seize opportunities.