Why Learn Operations?

5 Chapter(s) 22 mins left in module

( 6 min )

Description:

Goal of the chapter:

Did you think that your job is to go to the store every day and sell goods? Well, that is not true. You also have to learn all the store operations. In this chapter, we will explain the importance of learning store operations.

It’s an age-old saying that ducks seem to sail effortlessly...

But if you see under water, they have to work very hard so that they don’t sink.

This also applies to the retail shops that we visit. Look at these pictures of famous retail shops:

Decathlon:

Croma:

Pantaloons:

These shops look so clean, beautiful and well organised. But many people work very hard every day so that the shops can make customers happy.

If you are working as a sales associate, you will have to do many things besides selling goods to customers.

SOP: Standard Operating Processes
Standard Operating Processes refer to the step-by-step instructions that a company gives to its employees so that they can carry out complex processes easily.

You will learn the different SOP of your company and do the work according to those rules every day. While doing this work, it is important to pay attention to details. If you make any mistakes, the company will look bad.

Hence, your job is to help the manager to run the store properly. Here is how to do that:

Given below is a list of your duties.

(Note - We have made this list to give you a general idea. Your company or manager will give you your exact list of duties.)

Opening and Closing the store
Maintaining stock of goods before and after the store closes
Maintaining the flow - arrange all the products at the correct places, basic hygiene, etc
Visual Merchandising
Inwarding and outwarding goods in coordination with the warehouse
Assisting or executing cash pickup
Maintaining green rooms or trial rooms ( in case of apparel stores)
Maintaining adequate amount of trial products and their quality
Fire, Electrical and General Safety Measures
Legal Compliance Documents - availability and updation
Backroom and Storeroom maintenance
Complete customer assistance
Maintaining various registers and excels
Daily/Weekly/Monthly reporting

In the above list, there are some things you will be reading for the first time. We will explain all the things in detail in the next chapters.

Out of all these SOPs, your job will be to carry out only some of them. But, it is compulsory for you to know all the SOPs and all the duties above.

Key Takeaways:

1. A good retail store is not like an automatic machine - there are many background operations that need to be carried out on a daily basis.

2. The SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) need to be carried out perfectly, otherwise it may create a bad impression in front of the customer, or cause damage to the goods.

3. Your company/ manager will give you a detailed list of YOUR SOPs, which will be specific to your company. The above list is a general list; these are the bare minimum duties you have to carry out.

4. Here's how to follow SOPs - Learn the documents of SOPs provided to you by your company, make sure you understand every single point carefully, if not, ask questions, and follow them perfectly.

Up Next:

Different companies have different SOPs. We will give you a brief idea of SOPs in retail shops in the next chapters, starting with the store opening and closing SOPs.

Click to view course outline

DISCUSS

Why Learn Operations?

Description:

Goal of the chapter:

Key Takeaways:

Up Next:

Please Login to Discuss