A supermarket has been experiencing long lines during peak periods of the day. The problem is noticeably worse on certain days of the week, and the peak periods sometimes differ according to the day of the week. There are usually enough workers on the job to open all cash registers. The problem is knowing when to call some of the workers who are stocking shelves up to the front to work the checkout counters. How might business analytics help the supermarket? What data would be needed to facilitate good decisions?

As you will have understood, processing this information qualitatively by giving it meaning is essential for understanding the market in which the company is positioned and anticipating its evolution. In this sense, the business analysis contributes to the performance of results.

Why do a business analysis?

Relevant business analysis can exhaustively list and understand the reasons for a sale's success or failure. It facilitates decision-making, the reproduction of a sales performance while constituting a source of motivation for the sales team members in the field.

The role of Business analytics would assist the supermarket in efficiently scheduling their workers. This would help to reduce congestion at the checkout counter and offer customers an improved shopping experience. Thus, the supermarket can exploit its labor resource effectively and efficiently with the assistance of business analytics.

The data needed to facilitate good decisions are:

Number in terms of customers getting to the checkout counters, relating to the day and time of checkout.
The minimum regular amount of time customers usually use in the store will assist in planning ahead.
Numbers in terms of the customer standing in the queue, if any.
The population of workers situated in the store.