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In the post-pandemic era, characterised by increased demand for flexibility, higher turnover rates and the need for digital transformation, the role of HR in retail becomes… View Article

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Best HR Software for Retail Industry

2 April, 2024 | by Natalie Fresen

In the post-pandemic era, characterised by increased demand for flexibility, higher turnover rates and the need for digital transformation, the role of HR in retail becomes critical. Workforce management is paramount for ensuring profitability and customer satisfaction. This is where HR software for retail comes in.

HR software, also known as HRMS or HCM software, is a critical component of the retail industry. It is a part of the ongoing quest for greater efficiency and productivity in order to meet the increasingly complex demands of modern operations.

By automating administrative tasks, HR software enables retailers to focus on what truly matters: driving business growth and providing an exceptional customer experience. It also provides the ultimate solution to the most difficult aspect of getting things done – managing people.

One of the most dramatic examples of how software can completely transform legacy processes is in recruiting, which is perhaps HR’s most important function. According to a Forbes survey of HR professionals, 73% of them have trouble finding candidates whose skills match the vision of the position they’re looking to fill, while 46% struggle to attract qualified applicants in the first place. As the battle for talent heats up, retailers must invest in robust recruitment software or risk being on the outside looking in.

But, to be honest, that’s the easiest part.

Throughout this blog, we will try to provide you with a comprehensive guide to retail HR software solutions. We will begin by defining what HR software is and, more importantly, what it is not. Then examine the specific requirements that retailers have for their HR software.

Following these initial steps, we will look at some top HR software for retail:

UKG
Dayforce
Employment Hero
PeopleHR
Zenefits
Workday
BambooHR

And we will teach you everything you need to know to choose the best retail HR software for your company—and its needs. Along the way, there will be plenty of real-world examples to help retailers take control of their digital transformation journey.

So let’s talk about HR software and how to put it to work for your retailer—and beyond.

What is HR software?

HR software is the foundation of a technological revolution that is rewriting the rules for how retail businesses manage their diverse workforces. It is digitally transforming people management, making it faster, more forward-thinking, and more integrated.

So, what is HR software?

HR software is a set of digital tools for automating and streamlining a wide range of HR processes across an organisation. They are the lifeblood of modern HR departments, serving as a centralised hub for managing all aspects of the employee lifecycle.

The remit of HR software is as wide as it is essential. Here’s how the various functions of this game-changing technology take care of business:

Payroll Management– From calculating employee wages and processing payments, to managing tax deductions and generating paystubs, HR software takes care of the intricate interlocking functions of payroll administration.
Onboarding Process – HR software helps HR teams welcome new hires into their organisation with minimal fuss. It digitises paperwork, disseminates critical information, and steps employees through the preliminary stages of integration.
Training and Employee Development – HR software helps nurture employee skills and fosters professional growth through its training functionalities. The creation of tailored training modules to monitor employee progress and assess learning outcomes is encouraged, enabling organisations to invest in growing their workforce
Attendance Tracking– Employee attendance can be monitored, and time-off requests can be managed more easily. With HR software, visibility into workforce availability, absences, and any scheduling conflicts is available in real-time.
Reporting – HR software opens a doorway into employees’ working lives, and allows organisations to make the data-driven decisions, guiding strategic initiatives. HR retail software draws on the power of data analytics to spit out exhaustively detailed workforce trends, performance metrics, and critical HR KPIs.
Holiday Requests– Balancing a life’s worth of work and leisure has never been simpler than with HR software, giving employees user-facing systems to submit requests, check on their approval status, and confirm their accrued leave entitlements easily.
Employee Rewards and Engagement– Introducing employee rewards and recognition in retail, incentives for high performance, and mechanisms for soliciting feedback from personnel keeps HR software alive by feeding a culture of acknowledgement and engagement.

In summary, HR software is the ultimate guiding light for the modern HR professional, accompanying them as they navigate the complex web of managing their workforce quickly, cleanly, and efficiently.

Why Do You Need Retail HR Software?

In the fast-paced world of retail, agility and efficiency reign supreme, the right HR software can be a game changer. The undeniable benefits of digital transformation make it essential for every retailer to incorporate HR software into their overall strategy.

Here’s why retail HR software is extremely important for retailers:

Automate and Streamline Processes– Not only are manual HR tasks unbearably time-consuming, but they’re also inherently prone to error. HR software is able to automate repetitive tasks that consume hours of an HR professional’s time. By freeing them up they are able to concentrate on strategic initiatives and other core business functions.
Privacy and Data Protection– With employee data growing ever more sensitive, ensuring privacy and data protection is imperative for retailers. HR software provides an array of security measures to keep confidential data confidential, reducing the risk of data breaches and compliance violations.
Data Collection and Analysis– Today, the ability to utilise workforce and HR data is crucial to informed decision-making. HR software makes it easier to collect and analyse information about the workforce, which provides strategic insights into employee performance, engagement levels, and overall workforce trends.
Monitor Performance– Being able to monitor employee performance is critical to driving organisational success, and HR software makes this much easier. HR software supports performance monitoring and evaluation. Organisations are therefore able to zero in on their top performers, address performance gaps, identify opportunities to enhance workforce productivity, and, through this, overcome common retail HR challenges.
Streamline Recruitment– With a large number of individuals constantly entering and leaving the industry, having efficient recruitment processes in place is critical for success in retail. HR software streamlines the entire recruitment process, from applicant tracking to onboarding, providing a seamless experience for both candidate and employer.
Having Everything in One Place– HR software places all HR-related information within a single system, as opposed to scattered throughout several disparate systems. This centralised approach ensures data consistency, accessibility, and manageability.
Looking After Employee Wellbeing– Employee wellbeing is a major ingredient in the secret sauce of organisational success. Investing in retail HR software is crucial for fostering diversity and inclusion in the retail sector. HR software offers features and resources that facilitate the development and support of employee wellbeing initiatives. This includes employee assistance programmes, wellness programmes, and excellent mental health resources, ultimately leading to a healthier, more productive workforce.
Improve Employee Satisfaction, Engagement, and Retention– It’s no secret that engaged, satisfied employees are more likely to stay loyal to your organisation. Retail HR software plays a vital role in fostering employee engagement and recognition in retail, ensuring that employees feel valued and appreciated. HR software assists with empowering employees by offering things like recognition programmes, feedback mechanisms, and personalised development plans. This enhances employee satisfaction and ensures that retention levels remain high.
Scalability– As retail organisations grow and change, scalability becomes incredibly important. HR software provides scalable solutions that can adapt to the changing needs of the organisation, making it possible to grow the business without imperilling efficiency or performance.

In conclusion, investing in retail HR software is not only a smart choice. It’s an essential one for any organisation aiming to thrive in today’s hyper-competitive retail landscape. HR software empowers retailers to embrace and excel within the complexities of workforce management with both confidence and resilience.

The Different Types of HR Software

HR software comes in various types tailored to different organisational needs. The three main types are HRIS (Human Resource Information System), HRMS (Human Resource Management System), and HCM (Human Capital Management).

Here’s a small overview of what each one does:

HRIS: is HR software focused on managing employee data like personal information, attendance, and payroll.
HRMS: offers the same features as HRIS as well as broader functionalities like recruitment, performance management, and training.
HCM: is HR software that provides comprehensive workforce management solutions, integrating HR processes with broader organisational goals and strategies.

How to Choose the Right Retail HR Software

Your company’s productivity and ability to compete hinge on the HR software you choose. If you want to make a smart decision, here is a detailed guide to follow:

Identify company goals: Define what the strategic objectives of your organisation are and how HR software can help support those objectives.
Assess HR needs: Conduct a thorough assessment of the HR department’s needs in order to identify where improvements could be made.
Research software providers: Research different HR software providers who have experience in the retail space. Look at things like reputation, scalability, and customer reviews.
Feature and cost comparison: Compare the different types of software and the cost associated with the software to see which aligns closest with the needs of your business and HR department.
Request demos and case studies: Reach out to the software provider to book a demo if possible, or ask for case studies. Find out the specific use cases of other retailers and how it has made their processes more efficient.

Features to Look for in HR Software for Retail

When looking at HR software, there are a number of features that you should be looking out for.

Some of them are::

Onboarding/Offboarding: Allows you to streamline and ensure a smooth process for new and leaving hires. The process is always in real-time and secure as they transition through new requirements.
Talent management: This allows you to identify and grow your top talent in your organisation through career development and performance management capabilities.
AI tools: Features that can help you identify and improve performance with things like resume screening, predictive analytics, and employee sentiment analysis.
Compensation management: A feature that helps manage employee related compensation, such as salary structures, bonus structures, and benefit administration.
Employee engagement and recognition: Features like employee feedback mechanisms and rewards programmes that help retail leaders foster appreciation and culture in their work environments.

Final Thoughts

Investing in the right HR software is essential to succeeding in an increasingly competitive retail environment. By leveraging today’s HR technology, retailers can automate processes, foster deeper employee engagement, and drive growth for the business.

However, selecting the right HR software is just one step in the process. To gain deeper insights into staying people-focused and empowering your retail workforce, register for our upcoming “Retail HR Central” conference on May 15th, 2024.

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