For retailers, Q4 isn’t just another quarter, it’s the most critical stretch of the year. Between holiday shopping, peak foot traffic, and high customer expectations, it’s a time when your retail business is under the spotlight like never before.
Unfortunately, many businesses still wait until the last minute to prepare. The result? Disorganized stores, overworked staff, and missed opportunities.
The smartest move you can make this summer is to prepare an early partnership with a team that knows how to get your store Q4-ready. InDemand Services gives you the staffing support and operational expertise to make it happen.
According to Deloitte, U.S. holiday retail sales for 2025 are expected to increase by 2.3-3.3%, reaching as much as $1.59 trillion. While that number may sound encouraging, the growth rate is slower than in recent years due to inflation and more cautious consumer behavior.
In this environment, there’s less room for error. Planning late can jeopardize the customer experience and your bottom line. That’s why summer is the perfect time to get your fixture installations, resets, remodels, and merchandising support in place.
When you begin these efforts before the fall rush, you’re setting yourself up to perform under pressure when it matters most.
Waiting until October to begin hiring or reorganizing can be a recipe for disaster. A recent survey by Purchasing Power revealed that 46% of retail employees report their employers are facing labor shortages, and 41% are working additional hours to compensate for the lack of staff.
This understaffing leads to overworked employees and diminished customer service quality.
Whether it’s an empty shelf, a cluttered layout, or a long line at checkout, even small issues can drive loyal customers away.
Rushing to staff and reset at the last minute leads to inconsistencies, disorganization, and preventable errors that customers notice and remember.
At InDemand Services, our staff delivers complete operational support that aligns with your goals and timing. Our teams are ready to execute store resets, fixture installations, and layout changes with speed and precision.
Whether you’re refreshing your space or preparing for a remodel, we ensure your stores are aligned with your planograms and are ready to perform.
We also supply flexible, short-term staffing to support merchandising needs and seasonal spikes. Our professionals integrate seamlessly into your operations, helping you meet demand without overwhelming your full-time team.
Also, with our proprietary workforce management platform, Cruxos, you’ll have real-time visibility into labor progress, task completion, and project performance across every location.
Retailers across the country are grappling with workforce shortages, and the numbers back it up.
According to the 2024 UKG Retail Workforce Survey, 87% of retail executives reported that staffing shortages have negatively impacted store performance, leading to increased employee burnout and diminished customer service quality.
At InDemand, we bring in ready-to-go, brand-aligned professionals who understand the importance of consistency, attention to detail, and a job well done.
Our teams respect your store culture, support your existing staff, and help you move forward with confidence. And because our services are scalable, you get exactly what you need.
Planning ahead isn’t just a best practice, it’s a proven advantage. According to McKinsey & Company, companies that invest strategically in their workforce, particularly in frontline talent, can unlock significant operational excellence and growth.
Their research shows that organizations prioritizing workforce investment often see marked improvements in productivity, reduced absenteeism, and heightened employee engagement and retention.
Starting early gives your store and staff more time to adapt, and your operations more time to refine. It reduces stress across your organization and eliminates the last-minute scramble that often plagues the fall season. Most importantly, it lets you step into Q4 prepared, not reactive.
The consequences of delaying your upcoming reset or remodel extend far beyond a cluttered stockroom.
Stores that fail to plan and staff appropriately during the summer often enter the holiday season disorganized and overwhelmed. Displays go up late, key sales windows are missed, aisles become cluttered, inventory gets misplaced, checkout lines grow longer, teams are exhausted, morale dips, service becomes inconsistent, and the risk of employee turnover increases, all of which customers will notice and feel.
During peak season, these breakdowns don’t just waste time; they impact revenue and erode brand loyalty. Frustrated customers may not return, especially when alternatives are just a click or a short drive away.
Summer isn’t just a slower season; it’s your opportunity to get ahead.
By starting now, you avoid the Q4 rush, reduce operational risk, and set your stores up for a successful finish to the year. With InDemand Services, you’re not just adding staff, you’re teaming up with a partner that understands how to execute with excellence when it matters most.
Let’s get started. Reach out and we’ll help you prepare.
