Maximize Back-to-School Retail Strategy

The back-to-school season has always been a key revenue moment for specialty Retailers. But this year, something different is happening: shoppers are actively choosing to visit stores over browsing online.  

According to a recent Criteo survey, 3 in 4 consumers say that online shopping has started to feel…boring. The convenience is still there, but the experience isn’t. Shoppers are craving a physical store—the ability to touch products, ask questions, and make confident decisions in real-time.  

 

But it only pays off if you’re ready to meet shoppers with a stand-out in-store experience.  

Why in-store shopping trends are reshaping BTS Retail strategy

Online shopping might be efficient, but it often feels overwhelming and impersonal. Criteo’s global research reveals a shift in consumer expectations. While convenience once made online shopping the obvious choice, today’s shoppers are craving more a human, tactile experience: 

– 72% of global consumers said they enjoy the experience of in-store shopping 

– Nearly 80% said online shopping can feel lonely  

– Over half say the volume of online choices is overwhelming 

These stats paint a clear picture: shoppers are looking to reconnect with Retail. And during BTS, one of the highest-traffic seasons outside of the holidays, Retailers have a prime opportunity to make that happen.  

How specialty Retailers can win back-to-school shoppers in-store

Unlike big-box or online Retailers, specialty stores have something unique: the ability to turn a product from a transaction into a personal experience. For parents and students preparing for the upcoming school year, that kind of interaction matters. This creates a new opening to strengthen in-store loyalty and differentiate from competitors stuck in an e-commerce-first mindset.  

But this only works when your store is ready. When your team is short-staffed, displays are messy, or associates can’t keep up with demand, the in-store advantage disappears. 

That’s why the right back-to-school Retail strategy needs to prioritize in-store execution. And it all starts with labor. 

Optimizing Retail labor for peak performance

Why your Retail staffing strategy matters most in BTS season 

BTS traffic is concentrated and time sensitive. Parents aren’t browsing – they’re on a mission. That means your ability to meet demand depends on whether the right people are on the floor at the right time.  

Without agile labor planning, you risk:  

  • Missed sales during traffic spikes 
  • Long lines and poor service  
  • Payroll wasted from overstaffing during lull periods 
  • Burnout as teams struggle to do too much with too little  

Real-time labor visibility = real-time results 

This is where we come in. Retailers using StoreForce can tie labor directly to store performance. You can: 

– Forecast traffic based on real-time trends 

– Build schedules that match peak hours 

– Balance customer service and tasking 

– Give store managers live performance data 

Instead of filling shifts and relying on guesswork, build a labor strategy that turns BTS into a competitive edge. 

But this only works when your store is ready. When your team is short-staffed, displays are messy, or associates can’t keep up with demand, the in-store advantage disappears. 

That’s why the right back-to-school Retail strategy needs to prioritize in-store execution. And it all starts with labor. 

Turn your Retail store into a brand experience

Think beyond transactions. Incorporate interactive displays, host events, provide personalized services and offer elements of surprise that online platforms can’t replicate. 

Turn your Retail store into a brand experience

The right people in the right place at the right time 

Top performing stores put their best people on the floor when it counts. StoreForce gives you the ability to: 

– Spot high performers with Sales per Hour (SPH) or Sales to Target Achievement Rate (STAR) metrics 

– Align staff with traffic, not just hours 

– Reallocate labor across stores in real-time  

This lets you turn staffing into a sales strategy, not just an operational task.  

Empower managers to make decisions fast 

Too often, store leaders are the last to know when things go off-track. With real-time analytics, managers get live updates on store performance, staffing levels, and task execution. They can make decisions on the spot – adding help to the floor, pausing backroom work, or re-prioritizing tasks based on what’s happening now.  

That kind of responsiveness is what keeps the in-store experience strong, especially during high-stakes seasons like back-to-school.  

How to capitalize on the shift back to in-store shopping

The data is clear. Shoppers are returning to stores for connection, clarity, and confidence.  

Here’s how to take advantage of this shift:

1. Treat your store as the differentiator

Don’t compete with online Retail on convenience. Compete on service, experience, and expertise. Train your team to act as brand ambassadors, not just cashiers. Make sure they have the time and tools to deliver great experiences. 

2. Equip sales associates to deliver top customer service

Your store teams are the face of your brand. Give them the proper tools, insights, and flexibility to provide exceptional service.  

This can include: 

– Seasonal product training 

– Micro-coaching and feedback in the moment 

– Employee recognition and incentives  

– Event and promotion readiness 

– Smart scheduling and breaks 

– Customer profiling on the floor

3. Stay agile with a strategic staffing strategy

Foot traffic fluctuates, especially in seasonal Retail. Rigid labor plans fall short. You need the ability to adapt your Retail staffing strategy in real-time based on what’s happening on the floor. 

4. Connect HQ to the floor 

Strong execution doesn’t happen in a silo. With StoreForce, head office can share targets, track results, and help stores stay aligned—without creating more admin. That alignment turns strategy into action.  

Set the standard with your back-to-school Retail strategy 

Consumers are speaking with their feet. According to Criteo, shoppers are tired of endless scrolling and ready for Retail experiences that feel personal and rewarding. 

Back-to-school is your moment to lead. StoreForce gives you the tools to optimize labor, empower your teams, and deliver the kind of store experience today’s shoppers are looking for. 

Let’s make your stores the reason they return.