Pros and cons of resets during business hours

As a grocery store manager, you’re constantly juggling the needs of your customers with the demands of running an efficient operation. Deciding when to carry out merchandising resets is just one of those critical decisions that can make or break the flow of your store. You might be wondering whether it’s worth the potential disruption to reset during business hours, or if waiting until after closing is the better choice. This article dives into the pros and cons of conducting resets while the store is open, helping you weigh the benefits against the drawbacks so you can make the best decision for your store’s unique needs.

The benefits of doing resets during business hours

Choosing to reset your store during business hours can offer several strategic advantages that directly impact your bottom line and customer satisfaction. It’s not just about moving products around; it’s about optimizing the entire shopping experience in real-time.

Cost efficiency

While there is a cost to having people resetting the shelves - where you hire third party merchandisers or use in-house team members - the rest of your store team infrastructure is in place during business hours. Resets during regular business hours can help you avoid the additional costs of overtime or needing to bring in people in other roles, like security or managers. Integrating these activities into the normal workday means you’re using your staff more effectively, keeping costs down while still getting the job done.

Visibility of improvements

When customers see changes happening during their visit, it sends a message that your store is constantly evolving to meet their needs. This visibility not only highlights new products but also reinforces your store’s commitment to keeping things fresh and exciting, which can boost customer loyalty.

Efficient use of staff hours

By scheduling resets during the day, you can make better use of your team’s time. There’s no need for disruptive, late-night shifts, which means you can maintain a balanced workload while still making meaningful improvements to your store layout.

Continuous improvement

Making changes during the day allows you to implement small, continuous improvements that keep your store environment dynamic. This ongoing evolution ensures your store stays responsive to the latest trends and customer preferences, keeping shoppers engaged and coming back for more.

When you choose to reset during business hours, you’re not just rearranging products—you’re actively shaping a shopping experience that resonates with your customers. The benefits of this approach, from real-time feedback to cost savings, can make a significant difference in how your store operates and how it’s perceived by shoppers. With thoughtful planning, these resets can become a powerful tool in driving both customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

The downsides of resets during business hours

While resetting your store during business hours has its advantages, it also brings a set of challenges that can impact both your customers and your operations. These challenges are important to consider when deciding the best approach for your store.

Customer inconvenience

Resets can disrupt the usual shopping experience, making it harder for customers to find products as their locations change. Cluttered aisles or temporarily blocked sections can frustrate shoppers, especially during busy times. This inconvenience can detract from the ease of shopping and lower overall customer satisfaction.

Safety concerns

Having staff move and assemble heavy displays during business hours increases the risk of accidents, not just for your team but also for customers. Ensuring everyone's safety becomes more complicated, requiring careful planning and measures to minimize risks.

Balancing tasks

Your staff already has a lot on their plate. Adding the responsibility of resetting displays can lead to inefficiencies, as employees struggle to balance customer service with their merchandising duties. This multitasking can affect the quality of both tasks, potentially leading to a less optimal shopping experience.

Inventory management

Another challenge is effectively managing inventory during open-hour resets. Coordinating the stocking of new items while moving existing stock can lead to errors and discrepancies. Keeping inventory accurate during this shuffle requires careful planning and oversight.

When considering resets during business hours, these challenges are crucial to keep in mind. While they can be managed with careful planning and execution, they do present real risks that could affect your store’s efficiency and customer satisfaction. Understanding these downsides helps you make a more informed decision about when and how to conduct your resets.

Best practices and recommendations for store resets

Having been involved in the back end of numerous grocery store operations, it’s clear that it is tricky to time resets. Many stores have conducted resets on the same schedule - either during business hour or outside them - for years. 

If you are considering trying it differently, keep these things in mind:

• Plan ahead: Schedule resets during slower shopping hours to minimize disruption. Effective planning helps the team allocate sufficient time for changes while considering customer flow.
• Communicate clearly: Keep both staff and customers informed about the resets. Use signage, announcements, and team meetings to outline what changes are happening and how they might affect the shopping experience.
• Notify your team: Ensure that all employees are aware of the reset schedule and their specific responsibilities. Clear communication fosters accountability and reduces confusion during the process.
• Engage with customers: Encourage staff to interact with customers and solicit their feedback during the reset. This involvement helps customers feel valued and allows you to make adjustments based on their input.
• Monitor and adapt: As changes are implemented, continuously monitor customer reactions and store performance. Being responsive to feedback allows for quick adjustments that enhance the overall experience.

By adopting these best practices, grocery stores can navigate the challenges of store reset timing effectively. Thoughtful planning and execution not only create a smoother experience for both team members and customers but also ensure that the shopping environment remains fresh and engaging.

Transform your retail operations through strategic reset merchandising

Conducting reset merchandising during business hours can significantly enhance customer engagement and improve operational efficiencies. With thoughtful execution, these resets empower grocery businesses to respond effectively to consumer trends and market demands, ultimately creating a more satisfying shopping experience.

At Progressive Retail Services, we bring a proven track record and extensive experience in retail to each project. Our strategic merchandising programs are tailored to elevate your store's performance and enhance customer satisfaction. Partner with us to transform your approach to retail merchandising and discover how we can help you achieve your goals with confidence. Contact us today!