The Co-operative Group completes revamp of staff management system
The Co-operative Group has rolled out the final phase of its new workforce management system to improve operational efficiency at its 2,800 UK food stores.
The workforce management tool, supplied by IT software and services company Kronos, has now been introduced across its entire food store estate and will help the group to plan what staff are needed to meet specific peaks and troughs in trading.
The tool integrates several systems, including electronic point-of-sale, payroll and the depot system to create the optimum staff schedule for each store. The Co-op said the system will help to achieve faster and more efficient management of store staffing requirements, and will also provide information on long-term staffing patterns and trends.
Sean Toal, chief operating officer, The Co-operative Food, explained: “The Kronos system has vastly improved our working practices and is delivering several benefits and efficiencies right across the Food business, including cost savings and freeing up management time.
“The workforce management element of the system will dramatically improve customer service by effectively matching consumer demand with the availability of our store staff, which will ultimately improve their shopping experience.”
Mark Hale, CIO and supply chain director at The Co-operative Group, added: “We needed a system that could process a huge amount of information, both accurately and efficiently, whilst also improving the store system by providing a scientific method of creating weekly staffing schedules.
“The workforce management system is helping all our stores run more efficiently and is also providing cost savings and freeing up management time enabling our colleagues to concentrate on our customers’ needs.”
