When you think about the most valuable assets in your stores, what comes to mind? Inventory? Location? Maybe it’s your loyalty program? But let’s be real—your employees are your biggest asset. They’re also your largest cost. So, how can you ensure they’re not just showing up but actively driving results? More importantly, how can you help them feel valued, motivated, and contributing to success of your stores?
2025 is all about boosting employee loyalty—and not just in theory. Employees who feel engaged and appreciated are more likely to deliver top-notch service, promote your loyalty program, and stay with your business longer. By aligning store teams with corporate goals, tracking performance in real time, and incentivizing employees with tailored rewards, you can turn your workforce into a powerful growth engine.
Let’s dive into five strategies to leverage your site-level employees for better results—with a little help from technology.
- Turn Employees into Loyalty Program Champions
Your loyalty program is only as strong as the people promoting it. Who better to spread the word than your front-line employees? But here’s the catch—if they don’t understand it or see the value, they won’t push it. Make sure your team knows the ins and outs of your loyalty program, from sign-up benefits to exclusive offers. Run quick training sessions, create cheat sheets, and even incentivize employees who sign up the most customers. A well-trained, motivated team can turn casual customers into loyal regulars. And don’t stop there—make sure all your employees are signed up for your program themselves. When they experience the benefits firsthand, they’ll be much more likely to promote it authentically. Consider designing special perks just for them to keep them engaged and excited about sharing the program with customers. - Empower Employees to Upsell and Cross-Sell
Your employees interact with customers daily, making them the perfect candidates to drive sales beyond just ringing up purchases. But upselling shouldn’t feel forced—it should feel helpful. Train employees to make relevant recommendations based on customer behavior. For example, if someone grabs a coffee, why not suggest a breakfast sandwich at a discount? Small, well-placed suggestions can drive big results. And if you really want to make it easy, consider digital prompts at the POS to remind employees about promotions. - Recognize and Reward Employee Efforts
If you want employees to go the extra mile, you need to show them it’s worth it. Recognition can be as simple as a shoutout on a company-wide message board or as structured as an employee rewards program. Set up friendly competitions—like who signs up the most loyalty members or who gets the most positive customer feedback—and offer incentives such as gift cards, bonuses, or even extra break time. The more valued employees feel, the more engaged they’ll be in their roles.
- Use Technology to Reduce Friction
Employees can’t engage with customers if they’re bogged down by slow systems or complicated processes. The right tech—like an intuitive POS system, a well-designed mobile app, or eye-catching digital signage—can make their jobs easier and free up time to focus on customer interactions. Automated prompts can remind them to mention special offers, and real-time dashboards can help managers track progress on key metrics like loyalty sign-ups and upsell success. The easier you make it for employees to execute your strategy, the better results you’ll get.
- Create a Culture of Engagement
Happy employees create happy customers. It’s that simple. But engagement starts from the top down. Make sure managers are setting the tone by leading with positivity, supporting their teams, and keeping communication open. Regular check-ins, feedback loops, and team-building activities can go a long way towards making employees feel like they’re part of something bigger. When employees feel connected to the business, they’re more likely to stay, perform better, and contribute to the store’s success.
Your employees aren’t just your biggest cost—they’re your biggest opportunity. By investing in their training, recognizing their efforts, and giving them the tools to succeed, you can turn your workforce into a powerful asset that drives customer loyalty, boosts sales, and improves overall store performance. And when employees feel valued, they stick around—saving you the constant headache (and cost) of high turnover. A win-win all around!
Interested in learning more about PAR Retail’s purpose-built technology can take your program to the next level? Get in touch.
