A microcomputer cashier scheduling system for supermarket stores

Abstract

Labour scheduling in supermarkets is a difficult task since most employees work various shift lengths instead of standard eight‐hour shifts. With front‐end cashiers, it is even more difficult, since the number of needed cashiers is based on customer volume, which is constantly fluctuating. To create an accurate schedule, a supermarket manager must spend a good deal of time trying to match cashier shifts to customer demand. Presents a shift selection integer linear programming model which has been implemented in stores of a supermarket chain in north‐east USA. The model runs on a personal computer within an electronic spreadsheet environment, making it user‐friendly for managers. The POS data, routinely collected by registers and scanners are used for forecasting cashiers′ demand. The goal in this scheduling system is to maintain an acceptable customer service at the checkout for customer satisfaction and retention.