Hiring in the grocery industry: A closer look

Author Sean Behr Date Oct 31 2023

The grocery industry plays a crucial role in our daily lives, providing us with the food and essential items we need. From small stores to grocery delivery to large retailers, the industry is seeing major growth and significant changes, leading to the need for innovative solutions to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. According to Grand View Research, the food and grocery retail sector is projected will continue to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 3% through 2030. 

But despite this expected growth, there are a few challenges when it comes to finding and hiring the right people.

High turnover rates

According to Supermarket Perimeter, in 2021 the turnover rate among food retail employees was 48%. Constantly hiring and training new employees not only increases costs but also negatively affects productivity and customer service. Finding effective ways to reduce turnover rates is crucial for the success of grocery businesses.

Time-consuming hiring processes

The traditional hiring process in the grocery industry can be time-consuming and inefficient. From posting job ads to reviewing resumes and conducting interviews, hiring grocery workers can take a significant amount of time and resources. Implementing streamlined hiring processes can help save time and improve the efficiency of hiring new workers.

Increased competition

With the rise of online grocery shopping and the entry of new players in the market, the competition in the grocery industry has increased significantly. Grocery businesses need to find ways to differentiate themselves and attract top talent. Utilizing innovative technologies and strategies can give businesses a competitive edge in this crowded market.

How an ATS built for high volume hiring can help

An applicant tracking system (ATS) built specifically for high volume hiring can be a game-changer for the grocery industry. Many businesses are turning to companies like Fountain Hire to solve their hiring challenges in the following ways.

Streamlined hiring processes

Streamlining the hiring process is essential for grocery businesses to save time and resources. Fountain Hire, for example, automatically screens applications, schedules interviews, and provides real-time feedback to candidates, saving time and resources. Mobile-first technology also allows applicants to do everything from their phone—from application to onboarding—simplifying the hiring process and getting candidates to work faster.

Increased applicant pools

With an ATS built for high volume hiring, grocery businesses can attract a larger pool of applicants. These systems often include features like job board integrations, allowing businesses to reach a wider audience and attract more qualified candidates. Having a larger applicant pool increases the chances of finding the right fit for the available positions.

Seamless integrations

Fountain Hire offers a variety of integrations to help streamline the hiring process. These integrations include popular job boards like Indeed and ZipRecruiter, as well as background check providers like Checkr and Sterling. By integrating with these services, grocery companies can efficiently manage the hiring process from start to finish, all within the Fountain Hire platform.

Final thoughts

In the ever-changing grocery industry, finding ways to optimize hiring processes is crucial for success. Implementing an ATS built for high volume hiring can significantly improve efficiency, reduce costs, and attract top talent. By streamlining hiring processes, increasing applicant pools, and integrating with other systems, grocery businesses can stay competitive and thrive in this dynamic industry.

Learn more about hiring in the grocery sector by downloading our latest e-book, The Modern Hiring Guide for Grocery.

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About the Author

Chief Executive Offier

Sean Behr

Sean Behr is the CEO at Fountain and has served in leadership roles at STRATIM (acquired by KAR), Adap.tv (acquired by AOL), and Shopping.com (acquired by Ebay). Behr also advises, mentors, and invests in entrepreneurs and early-stage companies.