A new mobile website for Co-op food store colleagues to manage their shifts digitally launched this week with over 10,000 employees registering to use the system in just over 48 hours.
Following a successful trial involving hundreds of colleagues, the new user-centred technology, known-as 'Shifts', has been rolled-out to allow all colleagues in-store the choice of viewing which days they are working, how many hours they are scheduled to work, holidays and break entitlement via their mobile phone - wherever they are.
The initiative forms part of a series of projects designed to empower colleagues and simplify processes – developing more efficient and agile ways of working.
The move follows the roll-out of “How do I?”, a single source of information to help store-based colleagues to answer questions digitally.
While last month, the retailer revealed its Pay in Aisle technology trial – a UK-first designed to enhance consumer choice and convenience, where time-pressed shoppers can pay in the aisle as they use their own phone to purchase goods at the Co-op.
Chris Whitfield, Co-op Chief Operating Officer, Food, said, “We are working hard to simplify our processes to make sure we focus on those things that have real benefits, and support our ambition of creating a stronger Co-op, and stronger communities.
'This is something we will achieve by getting closer to our members and customers – where they are, what they need, and what they care about by investing in our colleagues, communities, products, prices, opening new stores, and using technology to make shopping even more convenient.
“It is a challenging retail environment, and Co-op is responding positively and moving forward with real momentum. We need to be competitive and innovative, and this means being more efficient and agile in how we work – we’re transforming the way we run our stores for members and customers, but more importantly, listening to feedback and making things simpler for colleagues.
'We’ve already achieved a lot in the last year, but this isn’t a one-year journey – it’s a re-wiring of convenience. Everything we’re trying and testing is built for colleagues by colleagues, who’ve been involved from the start.”