Office Depot Improves In-Store Task Completion Rate by 42% with Zebra Workcloud

Rhea-AI Summary

Zebra Technologies Corporation (ZBRA) and Office Depot Inc. (ODP) announced that the retailer has achieved a 90% task completion rate and a 42% increase in efficiency with Zebra Workcloud software and Zebra’s mobile computing solutions. Office Depot has reduced overtime costs by 95%, lowered scheduling time from three hours to 30 minutes a week, and saved 6% in payroll annually.

Insights

Retail Technology Expert

The integration of Zebra Workcloud software and mobile computing solutions into Office Depot's operational framework marks a significant stride in retail technology application. The reported 90% task completion rate, up by 42%, signifies not only an enhancement in in-store efficiency but also suggests a potential uplift in customer satisfaction levels. In the retail sector, task management and customer service are intrinsically linked; improvements in operational tasks often translate directly to the customer experience.

Moreover, the adoption of these technologies by a major retailer like Office Depot could set a precedent in the industry, prompting competitors to follow suit. This could lead to a broader trend of increased technology investment among omnichannel retailers, aiming to streamline operations and optimize customer engagement, which is critical in the highly competitive retail market.

Financial Analyst

The financial implications of Office Depot's technology adoption are noteworthy. A 95% reduction in overtime costs and a 6% payroll savings are substantial improvements to the company's cost structure. The reduction in scheduling time from three hours to 30 minutes per week per manager implies a significant decrease in labor costs and an increase in productivity. Such improvements in operational efficiency could reflect positively on Office Depot's financial performance, potentially leading to improved profit margins and shareholder value.

Investors and stakeholders should monitor how these cost savings translate into the company's bottom line and whether they can be sustained or improved over time. Additionally, the scalability of these solutions across more stores and their impact on sales through improved customer experiences could further influence the company's financial health.

Market Research Analyst

Office Depot's showcase at the NRF alongside Zebra Technologies underscores the importance of innovation in retail. The data-driven approach to managing store operations and the utilization of mobile technology for task management are becoming increasingly vital to maintaining a competitive edge. This partnership highlights a trend where retailers are not only investing in technology for back-end efficiency but are also leveraging it to enhance the front-end customer experience.

From a market research perspective, tracking the performance of stores post-implementation against a control group could provide quantifiable insights into the effectiveness of such digital transformations. Furthermore, consumer feedback on the improved store experience can offer valuable data to inform future strategies for Office Depot and the retail industry at large.

Leading omnichannel retailer to demonstrate at NRF how the right technology has cut overtime costs by 95% and significantly reduced scheduling time

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a leading digital solution provider enabling businesses to intelligently connect data, assets, and people, and Office Depot Inc. (NYSE: ODP Corp), today announced the retailer is operating with greater efficiency with Zebra Workcloud software and Zebra’s mobile computing solutions. Office Depot will showcase its Modern Store transformation, including how it has been able to improve the customer experience and employee engagement, in Zebra’s booth (#3203) at the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Annual Convention & EXPO Jan. 14-16, 2024 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

“Technology is at the forefront of everything we do from an omnichannel perspective across the globe, and working with Zebra Technologies has been a game changer for us,” said Jonas Stillman, Senior Director, Omnichannel Operations, Office Depot. “We’ve become more efficient, achieving a 90% task completion rate, an increase of 42% since implementing Zebra’s integrated solutions. Zebra’s hardware and software have helped our stores execute at the next level and focus on what matters most: our customers.”

Zebra’s Workcloud Task Management software has helped Office Depot improve operational efficiency so its 13,000 store associates across 1,500 stores can spend more time serving customers. Store managers can prioritize and divide associate tasks, giving associates a clear overview of what they need to do, what they completed, and what’s next on their task lists - all from the palm of their hands.

Scheduling, tasks, and reporting have helped associates to be more efficient while field leaders have access to clear real-time reporting along with compliance and completion rates, enabling them to highlight areas of success and improvement across stores.

Office Depot is also using Zebra’s Workcloud Scheduling software to bolster store managers’ capacity to streamline scheduling to ensure associates with the right skills are available to serve customers at the right time while aligning with store labor budgets. Using this solution, Office Depot has reduced overtime costs by 95%, lowered time spent scheduling from approximately three hours to 30 minutes a week and saved 6% in payroll annually.

Zebra’s TC5x series of mobile computers were integrated with Zebra’s Workcloud software providing Office Depot a simple, streamlined way to plan and manage work. Since the deployment, they have become the cornerstone of Office Depot’s operations.

“We are excited Office Depot will be sharing its success in improving associate productivity and efficiency in our booth at NRF,” said Matthew Guiste, Global Retail Strategy Lead, Zebra Technologies. “Office Depot sets a great example for retailers on how to work in new ways with technology to do more, faster and better while keeping customers at the center of it all.”

Join Office Depot when they share their modern store transformation during NRF’s Exhibitor Big Idea Session: How Office Depot is Creating a Modern Store Experience: Sun., Jan. 14, 2-3 pm, Expo Level 3, Stage 3.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Office Depot will demonstrate at NRF (Zebra booth #3203) how Zebra Workcloud and mobile computers are helping them improve associate efficiency and customer experiences, achieving a 90% in-store task completion rate, an increase of 42%.
• With Zebra Workcloud Scheduling software, Office Depot has cut overtime costs by 95%, reduced time spent scheduling from approximately three hours to 30 minutes a week and saved 6% in payroll annually.

ABOUT ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES

Zebra (NASDAQ: ZBRA) helps organizations monitor, anticipate, and accelerate workflows by empowering their frontline and ensuring that everyone and everything is visible, connected and fully optimized. Our award-winning portfolio spans software to innovations in robotics, machine vision, automation and digital decisioning, all backed by a +50-year legacy in scanning, track-and-trace and mobile computing solutions. With an ecosystem of 10,000 partners across more than 100 countries, Zebra’s customers include over 80% of the Fortune 500. Newsweek recently recognized Zebra as one of America’s Most Loved Workplaces and Greatest Workplaces for Diversity, and we are on Fast Company’s list of the Best Workplaces for Innovators. Learn more at www.zebra.com or sign up for news alerts. Follow Zebra’s Your Edge blog, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, and check out our Story Hub: Zebra Perspectives.

ZEBRA and the stylized Zebra head are trademarks of Zebra Technologies Corp., registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2024 Zebra Technologies Corp. and/or its affiliates.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240110607602/en/

Media Contact:

Michael Gilhooly

Zebra Technologies

+1-708-814-5281

michael.gilhooly@zebra.com



Industry Analyst Contact:

Kasia Fahmy

Zebra Technologies

+1-224-306-8654

k.fahmy@zebra.com

Source: Zebra Technologies Corporation

FAQ

How has Zebra Technologies Corporation (ZBRA) and Office Depot Inc. (ODP) improved efficiency?

They achieved a 90% task completion rate and a 42% increase in efficiency with Zebra Workcloud software and Zebra’s mobile computing solutions.

What cost reductions and savings has Office Depot achieved?

Office Depot has cut overtime costs by 95%, reduced scheduling time from three hours to 30 minutes a week, and saved 6% in payroll annually.

What is Office Depot showcasing at NRF?

Office Depot will showcase its Modern Store transformation, including how it has been able to improve customer experience and employee engagement, in Zebra’s booth (#3203) at the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Annual Convention & EXPO.

How has Zebra’s Workcloud software helped Office Depot improve operational efficiency?

Zebra’s Workcloud Task Management software has helped Office Depot improve operational efficiency so its 13,000 store associates across 1,500 stores can spend more time serving customers.

What will Office Depot share during NRF’s Exhibitor Big Idea Session?

Office Depot will share their modern store transformation during NRF’s Exhibitor Big Idea Session: How Office Depot is Creating a Modern Store Experience: Sun., Jan. 14, 2-3 pm, Expo Level 3, Stage 3.