Future Mind Report: Polish retailers focus on personnel management to cut costs in 2025
A new report from consulting and technology firm Future Mind reveals that 44% of Polish retail companies plan to focus on personnel management as their primary strategy for reducing operating costs in 2025. The Retail Barometer survey indicates that optimizing workforce planning, retraining employees, and cutting overtime expenses are key measures being adopted to enhance efficiency and curb expenditures.
The report highlights that alongside staff management, renegotiating supplier contracts ranks as the second most popular cost-cutting strategy, with 35% of retailers planning to lower expenses through bulk purchasing, contract adjustments, or supplier changes. Process automation follows closely, with 32% of companies considering the implementation of automated cash registers, inventory management systems, and other robotic solutions to streamline operations. Additionally, over a third of respondents are looking to optimize inventory by leveraging artificial intelligence for demand forecasting and minimizing waste.
“Our research indicates that Polish retailers are adopting a pragmatic approach, prioritizing staff management and automation to create a cohesive operational ecosystem,” said Emil Waszkowski, Head of Strategy at Future Mind. “By integrating automated systems that communicate seamlessly, businesses can eliminate information silos, reduce manual workloads, and allow employees to focus on more strategic tasks. This foundation is essential for further implementation of AI-based solutions.”
The study underscores the increasing competition and rapidly evolving consumer preferences in the retail sector, prompting companies to adopt efficient cost-reduction measures to maintain market position. Future Mind’s findings suggest that the ability to balance workforce efficiency with automation will be critical for sustainable growth and improved customer experiences.
The report also notes that automation is gaining traction in the industry, with 21% of surveyed enterprises planning significant automation initiatives aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and employee experience. Meanwhile, 44% of companies intend to adopt automation to a moderate extent, 23.5% plan minimal implementation, and only 6% do not foresee any automation efforts in their operations.
The findings suggest that while automation plays a key role in operational strategies, personnel management remains a top priority. “Retailers are taking a balanced approach, striving to optimize operations while ensuring employee satisfaction and development,” the report states.
The Retail Barometer report was compiled based on a survey of 34 industry experts and decision-makers using the Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) method. Conducted in collaboration with Wiadomości Handlowe, the report offers insights into anticipated trends shaping the retail sector in the coming months.
Source: Future Mind and ISBnews
