This department sets the direction for over 1,300 stores across the globe, in support of our customer needs. By working closely with our trading teams, store activity is managed and workload plans are developed. In short, our stores rely on this team to make the right decisions and to act as gatekeepers. Retail Operations also has tremendous influence in Head Office, helping us decide how best to please our customers – which is what we’re all about.
To thrive in Retail Operations, you need to understand stores thoroughly and continually update your knowledge. You also need to juggle projects and thrive in a fast-paced team. Good organisation is crucial, along with clear communication. If you’re always thinking of ways to improve how we work, you’ll soon be making an impact.
Retail Operations is split into three areas.
Store Communications & Planning are responsible for co-ordinating and communicating the plans to enable our network of stores to implement trading and marketing initiatives. This requires meticulous planning and attention to detail to devise short, medium and long term plans.
Our Stores Operations Development team find innovative ways to make life simpler for stores. It’s all about enhancing the in-store experience while making operations efficient. Often, this can be through new technology, for example, the use of tablets in-store. Regional Business Managers, store teams and Head Office functions such as IT work collaboratively to roll out new projects. Losses are an unfortunate part of life in retail.
Our Stores Trading Losses team work to reduce shrink and known losses, while improving store efficiency across the regions.