Retail digitization: how retail thrives as a hybrid workplace

As the remote vs. on-site workplace debate continues to make headlines, those of us in the retail world know the retail workforce has always been hybrid. From retailers’ corporate headquarters to district and regional managers, reps in the field working from home offices, store associates, vendors, marketing agencies, and so forth — everyone in retail has always been collaborating from everywhere.

How often have you done store visits, distribution center tours, or factory trips? Unlike corporate employees, store employees have always engaged with corporate mostly via hybrid work tools such as mobile devices, apps, collaboration software, and more.

And although there can be challenges, retail industry digital transformation technology helps simplify various complexities — benefiting the entire retail landscape. Are you embracing these possibilities to help your most important resource in a very challenging time for retailers?

Retail digitization — streamline the hiring and onboarding of retail employees

Experts agree, and studies show that positive employee experiences start when they apply for the position. That experience can even impact how applicants view the retailer or brand. According to a 2024 report from iCIMS, after a negative application or interview experience, 51% expressed that they’re less likely to be a consumer of a brand.²

Not every prospective employee has the same personal technology. Make the store a place that elevates the hiring experience and helps to land the best hires.

Consider digitizing and automating hiring and employee onboarding by:

• Offering in-store hiring kiosks and online applications

• Deploying chatbots to assist with answering candidates’ questions 24/7

• Integrating an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to route job applications, schedule interviews with candidates, automate workflows, and more

• Incorporating virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) to give applicants a better idea of what they’ll be doing or a feel for work environments — also great for training!

• Digitizing HR paperwork and creating automated workflows to increase efficiencies, avoid errors and reduce redundant and monotonous paperwork.

Read more

Article: How technology is improving employee job training

Provide remote training to retail employees

By tapping into today’s technology, retailers can free up employees' time and create better recruiting, onboarding, training, and overall work experiences from day one.

And as everyone knows, retail employee retention is especially challenging now. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average total separations rate for the retail industry was 4.3% — compared to 3.5% across all sectors.³ Happier or more satisfied employees lead to happy customers.

Once hired, retail employees are already overtasked and “fighting for hours.” With the right video conferencing and collaboration tools, retailers can turn employee breakrooms into virtual training rooms to make required learning even more appealing.

Interactive whiteboards (IWBs) and advanced videoconferencing equipment make training more engaging. Moreover, this innovative training style allows everyone — from corporate to store-level associates — the ease and flexibility of training on demand in the comfort of their homes. New hires won't have to commute, battle weather elements, or stress over childcare. Instead, they can complete training modules and testing anytime, anywhere.

Automate and modernize the corporate mail room

How much time is wasted searching for misdirected mail and packages while working remotely or on the road? An intelligent or smart delivery mail room service can increase productivity and give retail employees another option for keeping up with their inbound mail and delivery. Secured digital mailboxes can be accessed from an employee’s mobile device anytime, anywhere.

Digital records support accountability and compliance. Mail analytics help improve mail management and information flow by providing insights into the types of mail your organization receives.

Explore Intelligent Delivery to discover how to streamline the intake and delivery of physical inbound communication, regardless of where employees work.

Take virtual meetings to another level

Whether your marketing team is strategizing seasonal offers or the R&D team is brainstorming the latest update for your drones, intuitive collaboration tools are a must have for your teams.

When team members require more intense collaboration, like working on revising the same presentation simultaneously, collaborative digital whiteboards or interactive flat panel displays (IFPDs) offer your hybrid workforce easy-to-use cooperative tools that allow team members, vendors, suppliers, and clients to work better together.

Explore Interactive Whiteboards to empower your team members to create and collaborate better regardless of where they work.

Tap into smart lockers for safe storage

Of course, smart lockers allow customers to securely and conveniently retrieve purchases, but how about utilizing smart lockers within your corporate mailroom, for employee safe storage, or as an asset management solution?

Corporate mailrooms can receive hundreds of packages every day. Packages can be stored in digital lockers for onsite and remote employees to pick up. Use it for consumables management, verifiable package delivery, asset control, real-time retail fulfillment, or any effort involving the exchange of packages and parcels.

Retailers can even use smart lockers as a way for hybrid employees to store personal or work-related items when out of the office.

Explore Intelligent, Digital RICOH Smart Lockers as a scalable, secured electronic locker solution.

Ricoh — supporting your retail industry digital transformation

Adopting scalable, safe, and secured enterprise solutions that promote digital transformation should be manageable. Ricoh’s dedicated retail account team takes a holistic approach to the entire retail ecosystem and provides end-to-end solutions and services designed to support and grow your business.

Contact us to discuss additional ways to elevate your digital transformation journey within the retail industry or visit Ricoh for Retail.