Best Retail Task Management Software

Retail task management software provides retailers and stores with the ability to communicate with corporate offices and organize recurring and one-time tasks. Task management tools provide transparency into what must be done, who is expected to do it, and whether they have done what is asked of them. In essence, these tools function like any other task manager, but are specifically designed for retailers and the unique needs of a retail store and retail chains.

The intent behind retail task management is to streamline store operations and communication to both maximize sales and create a standardized brand experience. Standardized experiences for customers make it easier to implement multi-channel retail strategies in the future, which is a large priority for some retailers. Customer experience should always be a priority, and retail task management can help streamline the process between corporate and individual stores.

Key Benefits of Retail Task Management Software

• Streamlined communications between corporate headquarters and individual or regional franchises
• Transparency into whether or not tasks have been completed
• Brand consistency and improved customer experience across multiple store locations

Running a business can often feel like maintaining an endless series of ever-growing to-do lists. For a retail store, particularly one that is part of a chain, it can become difficult to manage these tasks if they are coming from multiple sources. And a typical task management solution is not mobile enough for a workforce that spends very little time sitting at a computer. Project management software is also too involved for the basic tasks that need to be completed on a day-to-day basis. Retail task management software is lightweight and designed to be easy to use by both managers and employees.

Retail employees need to be able to help customers at any given moment, so store execution must sometimes be placed on the back burner. Task lists that are not structured or distributed on a regular basis can result in unperformed tasks and therefore an underperforming store. By using retail task management, tasks can be compiled from multiple sources, organized, and distributed using a means that makes sense for store managers and employees.

Transparency — In the retail industry, small changes can have a big impact. And for a retailer with multiple stores, ensuring that those changes are made ASAP in multiple locations ensures a consistent experience for both customers and corporate offices. By using online task management software designed for retail, tasks can be assigned to individuals with a deadline so that higher-ups can see exactly who is the blocker when tasks are not accomplished on time.

Labor Management — Retailers often deal with large workforces of employees working different shifts. This can mean a lack of consistency on a day-to-day basis. With retail task management software, workforce task management becomes easy, as tasks are updated in real time to reflect who is working and when. Assigned tasks provide structure for employees, allowing them to easily complete these tasks and then focus their time on customers and other, more labor-intensive tasks.

Retail task management software is primarily used by the corporate offices of retail businesses, regional managers, store managers, and employees. These roles can use these solutions to communicate with each other, allocate tasks, and maintain accountability.

Business Headquarters and Regional Managers — Maintaining a large number of stores can be extremely difficult. It’s impossible to have complete insight into the workings of all stores at once, so those managing multiple locations can use these solutions to set tasks to ensure that crucial actions are taken. These tasks may be daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly.

Store Managers and Employees — Store managers and employees are by and large the ones carrying out the tasks set by headquarters and regional managers. However, store managers can also use retail task management software to create tasks for their employees and communicate with higher-level managers.