Managing accurate and timely inventory is a challenge for any retailer, but for a national footwear company with multiple locations, it’s an essential part of daily operations. Unfortunately, the company was facing significant difficulties in scheduling their counts at optimal times, inconsistent service quality, and frequent disruptions to store operations, such as delayed openings. Additionally, labor shortages at certain locations made it difficult to execute inventory counts effectively.
When the footwear company discovered Datascan’s full-service inventory counting solution, they found a partner that could address these challenges head-on. Datascan quickly responded to help the retailer improve its inventory processes, reduce costs, and streamline operations.
The Challenge: Scheduling Conflicts, Inconsistent Service, and Labor Shortages
The retailer’s biggest pain point was scheduling inventory counts during hours that worked best for the stores. Frequently, inventory counts were scheduled at inconvenient times, disrupting store operations, delaying openings, and causing inefficiencies in daily tasks. The service executed by their previous provider was also inconsistent, which only worsened the problem, as unreliable inventory counts were leading to mistakes and confusion in stock management.
Most notably, the footwear company struggled with staffing issues at several locations. Some stores simply didn’t have enough employees to manage both their regular operations and perform accurate inventory counts, leading to incomplete or delayed counts that further disrupted business operations.
The Datascan Solution: Full-Service Inventory Count with Added Labor Support
Datascan’s full-service inventory counting solution was designed to address the very issues this footwear retailer was facing. By offering comprehensive services, Datascan allowed the retailer to regain control of their inventory counts without disrupting store operations.
A key feature of Datascan’s service was the added labor support for short-staffed locations. By providing temporary, trained staff for inventory counts, Datascan ensured that the counts were completed accurately and on schedule, without overburdening the store’s existing team. This added labor support helped eliminate delays in store openings and ensured that the inventory counts didn’t disrupt regular store operations.
In addition to providing labor support, Datascan’s full-service inventory counting included:
- Real-Time Inventory Data: Datascan’s technology ensured accurate, real-time data to track inventory movements and reduce errors. This helped the retailer better manage stock levels and make more informed decisions about replenishment and product availability.
- Comprehensive Counting Solutions: Datascan provided a wide range of inventory counting services, including cycle counts, physical counts, and category counts. This flexibility meant the footwear company could count inventory in ways that best suited their needs, without unnecessary disruptions to store activities.
The Results: 24% Reduction in Inventory Counting Expenses
After partnering with Datascan, the footwear company saw significant improvements in its inventory management. The added labor support and consistent service allowed the retailer to reduce its inventory counting expenses by 24%.
With accurate counts conducted on time, the retailer minimized the risk of errors and disruptions, and most importantly, they saw cost savings from more efficient inventory processes. Datascan’s full-service solution allowed the footwear company to better allocate its resources and avoid unnecessary delays, improving overall operational efficiency.
Datascan’s Full-Service Solution for Retailers
This partnership with Datascan demonstrated the value of a tailored, full-service inventory counting solution that directly addresses operational challenges like labor shortages and inconsistent service. By providing both the technology and staffing support the retailer needed, Datascan helped the footwear company streamline its inventory process, cut costs, and improve efficiency across multiple locations.
For retailers struggling with similar challenges—whether it's scheduling conflicts, labor shortages, or inaccurate counts—Datascan’s full-service inventory service offers a proven solution that can bring measurable results.
