Overcoming the labour crunch in South-east Asia as a small retailer

FACED with an intensified labour crunch, many businesses in South-east Asia are struggling to hire and retain workers in an increasingly competitive hiring market. The retail sector is also not spared, with NTUC LearningHub reporting that over two in five retail employees in Singapore plan to leave the sector in 2023.

This is a cause for concern, given that retail associates are key to a well-functioning retail ecosystem. Associates serve as the bridge between retailers and shoppers, playing a pivotal role in ensuring shopper expectations are met. Coupled with the shift in shopper behaviours post-pandemic, retailers big and small now need to grapple with labour shortages and supply chain challenges, all while bridging the ongoing disconnects between shoppers and associates.

Technology can be the key to overcoming workforce challenges, especially for smaller retailers who may not have access to the same resources their larger counterparts have. Retail-ready solutions are instrumental in training new associates faster and encouraging upskilling of existing associates. These same solutions are also essential in engaging and retaining younger employees – “digital natives” – as they make up an increasingly large percentage of the workforce.