Implementing Effective Strategies to Reduce Employee Turnover: Retail Managers Share Experiences

Abstract

Employee turnover affects retail organizations in the form of lower productivity, decreased profitability, and reduced sustainability.  In 2014, organizations lost over $11 billion in tangible and intangible assets as the result of employee turnover.  High employee turnover rates have an adverse effect on productivity, which lead to unsustainable business practices.  Some retail store managers lack strategies to reduce employee turnover.  Using the transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this single case study was to explore effective strategies retail store managers from El Paso, Texas use to decrease employee turnover.  Participants were purposefully selected to ensure they had experience implementing effective employee turnover reduction strategies.  The data collection was through face-to-face semistructured interviews with 10 managers and the review of organizational documents on employee turnover.  Data were analyzed using inductive coding of phrases, word frequency searches, and theme interpretation.  Three themes emerged: supportive leadership reduced employee turnover, managing personnel scheduling decreased employee turnover, and competitive compensation reduced employee turnover.  Reducing employee turnover contributes to social change by providing retail store leaders and managers with valuable insight that can lead to enhanced sustainability, improved organizational growth, and increased profitability.  A reduction of employee turnover might also lead to new employment opportunities and promote prosperity for local families and the community