4 Ways to Improve Queue Management of Your Retail Store

Who likes to wait in long queues? Probably no one, and then with all the new sanitizing and other rules, it’s quite hard to even stand there. 

Why are we talking about it? 

Let’s see!

During the Coronavirus outbreak, eCommerce has exploded, with many people opting to shop from the safety and comfort of their own homes. As a result of the forced quarantine and lockdowns, consumer behavior has shifted. Physical stores must deal with the new normal of temperature checks, sanitizers, contact tracking, and social distancing queues in order to keep at least 3-6 feet between any two persons in the store.

Despite this, buyers are still hesitant to enter a business to shop because social separation is still a factor that can be readily broken by going outside.

As a result of a loss of revenue and/or an inability to maintain safe management practices, several restaurants, and retail businesses have closed.

So, many retail businesses that don’t want to lose their business are working quite hard to sustain it with queue management strategies. You can also improve them. Try the 4 following ways to improve queue management.

·        Deal in Transparency 

When customers are unsure how long their wait would remain, they are more willing to wait. For example, a customer may visit a nearby retail store during her lunch break, wanting to get in and out quickly so she can get back to work. If she walks in and sees other people in line ahead of her, she may try to estimate how long she will have to wait, and this estimate will influence her decision to stay or go.

She is considerably more inclined to stay if she knows she will be served before her lunch hour is through. Stores can eliminate doubt about wait times by making wait times public. Customers are kept informed by a plainly visible display board that shows approximate wait times.

·        Introduce Contactless Digital Shopping Cart

The checkout line is a unique difficulty in retail establishments. Everyone is focused on the line outside, yet the line inside is the one that frustrates customers the most. To circumvent the line, use contactless digital payments, which allow customers to pay for their items instantly through an app.

They scan the barcode on the purchased item, which is then added to their digital cart. After you've added everything to your cart, pay for it with the app and walk out with your physical shopping cart full of stuff.

·        Get Queue Management System

Implement a digital queue management system that allows people to effortlessly take a token with their phone and receive updates on their queue status. Meanwhile, instead of waiting in a large line for 20-40 minutes outside your door, consumers can rest and take a relaxing break or stay in their car. They merely need to arrive at the entrance after receiving a status update and can proceed directly inside.

You probably don’t have enough resources right now, so what then?

·        Human Management

It's difficult to prevent some human involvement in queue management when installing a turnstile or something like that. There are, however, several things you may do to make it more enjoyable.

First and foremost, if long lines are forming, consider offering complimentary tea and coffee or whatever other beverage is most appropriate for your situation. In a stressful situation, small actions like these can have a big impact on people's moods and attitudes.

Otherwise, try pushing vulnerable customers to the front of the queue or, better yet, establish a separate line for seniors, pregnant women, and other vulnerable persons.

Bottom line

Times are tough, but it is a human quality to adapt; according to the changes. Therefore, as a business owner or store manager, you will always find better strategies to deal with queue problems in your stores. Hopefully, the above ones work great for you once you apply them as per your need, especially adding a queue management system in your daily use. It will help you to be more organized and transparent.