iPads and other personal tablet devices would help shop floor workers boost sales, according to new research of retail shop-floor staff conducted by mobile retail solution provider Red Ant. Eighty five per cent of frontline retail staff surveyed say sales would improve if employers provided them with better technology to serve customers on the shop floor.
More than three quarters (78%) of Generation-Y shop workers aged 16 to 24 also say this technology would change the way they feel about going to work. Of this tech-savvy age group, which makes up almost a third of the UK’s entire retail industry workforce, 60% say they use mobile devices and apps every day and would be very comfortable doing the same to assist customers at work.
Almost half of Gen-Y shop floor staff say technology would make them feel more valued by their employers, while a third said they would be more enthusiastic about work and 40% said they would be better at their job. But the research suggests retailers are not currently doing enough to improve younger staff members’ salesmanship, with 78% of 18 to 24 year olds saying bosses could provide more training and better tools to help them become a success.
Dan Mortimer, CEO of Red Ant, explains: “There is a huge number of young people working in retail – it’s the perfect Saturday job for teenagers who want to scrape together a few extra pounds but also a great entry point for those looking to get climbing the career ladder. These guys can’t remember a time before mobile devices and are more comfortable using them than anybody else in the entire business. But many retailers are failing to take advantage of this – there are plenty of devices being given out for work use higher up the chain, but not to those who can actually use them to make a real difference.”
He continues: “Our research shows that shop floor staff really believe they could increase sales if they had an iPad on hand to provide additional product information and a quicker, more valuable service for customers. Retailers should be using technology to empower their frontline employees with the ability to provide better customer service and keep customers coming back for more.”
