Fix Price automates business processes with QVALON mobile solution

Fix Price, a Russia-based chain of discount variety stores with more than 4,000 outlets, recently raised $1.7 billion in an IPO.

This valued the retailer, which has a presence in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Latvia, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan, at $8.3 billion.

Its revenues have been growing at double digit rates for several years in a row. Steady growth and rapid scaling were made possible by complete standardisation of processes and continuous improvements in operational efficiency.

The company has invested in evolving a flexible operational management model and implemented advanced software development.

Here, Valery Ryazanov, Director of Sales, Fix Price, shares the experience of technology improvement measures undertaken recently, their positive impact, and future plans.

“In our retail stores staffed with small teams (up to six employees), making the best use of the manager’s time and effort can be the deciding factor in the store’s overall performance.”

“Usually, the manager has to do most of their work on an office desktop. This keeps them away from their team for long hours, hence they cannot actively lead and participate in the everyday tasks of employees under their supervision.”

Key fact: 75% of people say their smartphones make them more productive.

“With the QVALON cloud solution, we use a mobile app that helps in the manager’s work transition. Now they can complete their work tasks with the app’s help, instead of desktop software. Store managers/supervisors can now collaborate with their teams for longer durations.”

“Under their consistent monitoring and assistance, the store performs better in accordance with our standards and protocols.”

“This leads to a positive effect on sales. At the same time, losses from damage to goods, theft, and underperformance are reduced. The customers get a better experience and their loyalty towards Fix Price increases.”

Key fact: 63% of people say they’d share more information with a company that offers a great experience.

“App benefits allowed our managers to work directly in the sales area. As their operational tasks are available on the app, everything that needs to be looked at, checked, ordered, or received, could be done on smartphones. The app also reminds them of priority tasks with push notifications.”

Key fact: Speed, convenience, helpful employees, and friendly service matter most to 70% of consumers.

“Previously, the manager went around the store, made notes on a printed checklist, returned to their desk, and fed data into the system. Now the same is done on their smartphone and QVALON application. We save paper and, as a result, protect nature.”

“This corresponds to the position of our company's social responsibility. By calculations, since the time we switched to the mobile app, we save three trees per day.”

Key fact: Brands that demonstrated a positive impact on people’s lives grew 2.5 times more than brands with a low perceived impact.

“Some of the major features implemented in the mobile app are:

Checklist and task management: Sales managers can check the work quality of retail outlets. They can create checklists for store managers and also set necessary tasks. Store managers can then access these tasks on their mobile devices, correct the shortcomings, and report their performance in the app.
Inventory management: One of the daily tasks assigned to the manager is to undertake stock of about 30-50 individual products. The results are sent to our IT system to compare against the warehouse stocks, allowing the manager to identify shortfalls and take preventive measures.
Product information: The store manager can scan a product's barcode and quickly get information like the country of production, storage conditions, weight, expiration dates, etc. They can also verify stock in case of unavailability, and check availability in the nearest stores. So they can advise the buyer on the spot.
Product procurement: The store manager chooses the vendor and then selects the product, quantity, and delivery date. When the goods arrive, the manager records delivery arrival time, unloading start and its completion, departure time, delivery vehicle registration number, and driver's name.
Quality control: The store manager can write off goods by scanning the product code and selecting the reason for the fault or damage. They can also register product shortages due to rejection.
Problem reporting and solution: If a problem occurs, the manager can create a request for its solution in Jira Service Desk. Change in application status is accompanied by push notifications.”

Ryazanov adds: “One of the chief upsides of this app is that no dedicated training is required.”

“After the pilot was launched, everyone had the opportunity to get acquainted with the application. In addition, the company's central office has employees dedicated to providing assistance and support to stores.”

“Excited by the promising results achieved through the current version of the app, we are upgrading it with more features, such as:

Work time monitoring and management: The manager will be able to record an employee's login and logout time with the help of "smart photography." The application will analyse not only the biometric component but also the employee's geolocation.
We expect to improve store employees' productivity with effective time management and control.
Recruitment: When the stores need additional staff, a vacancy is placed on the labor exchange through the application, and then the applicant comes for an interview. The application records all the interview stages fills out a checklist, collects, and sends the necessary employee registration documents to the central office. Likewise, employee transfer between stores can also be done.
Utility cost accounting: Collecting readings from electricity, heat, and water meters is a regular task. The central office will be able to receive summary statistics on utility costs for stores and make the necessary decisions.”

“In later stages, for maximum mobility, we plan to transfer the control of advertising materials, checking the expiration dates of goods, inventory, and other processes to the mobile app.”

Ryazanov concludes: “The constantly evolving retail landscape makes it essential for us to continue exploring and experimenting with technology-based solutions.”

“It helps make work simpler and more rewarding with fewer mistakes. A technology enabled workforce is better positioned in providing our customers great in-store experience, from discovery to delivery.”