What Brick-And-Mortar Stores Need To Know About The Freelance Economy

The way we work is changing. The U.S. economy is transforming into a marketplace of freelancers and independent professionals who make a living on their terms.

This “gig” economy may offer flexibility and independence to both workers and employers but this shift can feel like a threat to businesses that have relied on a traditional employment structure for so long. But the need for a change is greater now than ever. Brick-and-mortar stores are facing direct competition from giants like Amazon who offer similar services at a much lower cost. So, how do they compete?

The answer is freelancers. Making this contingent workforce an ally can actually improve the value of a retail experience. Although they may compete with online freelancers who run e-commerce sites similar to their store, they can leverage the freelance economy to increase business value through competitive advantage.

There are some ways that the freelance economy can increase the value of a business.

1. Freelancers can help to provide a better experience for customers. A great sales staff is the heartbeat of the store and adding highly qualified freelancer talent can improve the quality of the customer experience. Customer satisfaction will increase, resulting in more repeat customers and more sales.
2. Hiring freelancers can actually save money. Tapping into the freelancer labor force can get tasks done quicker and reduce onboarding costs. Freelancers are usually qualified to perform a variety of tasks, so there is greater profitability with even better talent.
3. A business can hire talent where they need it when they need it. Flexibility in the “gig” economy goes both ways. A brick-and-mortar store can easily tap into a freelancer workforce to add more staff when needed even quicker than ever before.

 Learn more about how AllWork can help you find, manage, and pay retail freelancer talent.