Payroll is your single largest operating cost next to rent. Does your store's work schedule reflect your traffic, your sales, or the associate's personal schedule? Rotating the work schedule and tracking associate productivity will help you better identify traffic patterns. JE Lynch & Associates, LLC retail management consultants will help you develop a schedule to maximize customer service while controlling payroll dollars.

We can also help you discuss with your landlord possible changes to base rent; reduction in percentage rent; graduated lease terms; limits on triple-net charges; inclusion of some utilities with base rent; escape clauses; or variations to length of lease term.

Be sure to share with your associates an understanding of how store costs affect net profit. A little education can go a long way to help improving your bottom line when everyone understands the big picture.