Join us for our four-part Retail Inspiration Series

Retail organisations today face increasing pressure to optimise operations while maintaining a positive employee experience. Many retailers have invested in workforce management systems, but after go-live the real challenge begins: turning those systems into lasting operational value. The Retail Inspiration Sessions are a four-part thought leadership series designed for retail leaders who want to move beyond basic timekeeping toward smarter scheduling, forecasting, and strategic workforce planning.

Across four interactive sessions, Simms & Associates retail experts will share practical insights, lessons from real retail environments, and conversations with retail leaders who are navigating the same challenges.

Each session lasts 30–40 minutes and includes:

• Expert insights from experienced retail workforce specialists
• A short conversation with a retail customer
• Practical takeaways you can apply immediately
• Opportunity to ask questions and learn from peers

Registration

You can register for a single session or the full series. Each session builds on the previous one, but they are designed so you can join any session independently.

Secure your place and join retail leaders exploring how to balance business performance with employee experience.

Who Should Attend

This series is designed for senior retail leaders in organisations with complex workforce environments, including:

• Retail Operations leaders
• Workforce Planning & Scheduling leaders
• HR and People Directors
• Store Operations or Regional Directors
• Finance leaders responsible for labour cost and productivity

Particularly relevant for multi-location retail organisations looking to move from stabilisation to optimisation in their workforce strategy.

Session Schedule

All sessions take place at 13:00 CET and last approximately 30–40 minutes.

Session 1 : Turning Workforce Systems into Operational Value

April 29, 2026 | 13:00 CET

Many retailers feel a sense of relief when their workforce system goes live. But stabilisation does not equal optimisation. In this session we explore what happens after implementation and how organisations can begin unlocking the real value of their workforce data.

Speakers:

Stephanie Maria Germain: Retail Workforce Expert

Stephanie Maria Germain specialises in workforce strategy and scheduling optimisation in complex retail environments. She works with large international retailers to help them move from basic system usage toward operational optimisation and workforce strategy.

Jenny Ellis: Host

Jenny Ellis hosts the Retail Inspiration Series and brings extensive experience helping organisations improve workforce operations. She moderates the discussions and connects insights from different retail environments, ensuring each session delivers practical takeaways for attendees.

Session 2: The Human Side of Retail Optimisation

May 20, 2026 | 13:00 CET

Retail workforce systems allow extremely precise scheduling. But how do organisations balance labour efficiency with employee experience? This session explores the real trade-offs retail leaders face when optimising their workforce.

Speakers:

Carl Thomas: Retail Workforce Specialist

Carl Thomas has deep experience helping retail organisations design workforce strategies that balance operational performance with employee engagement. His work focuses on scheduling optimisation, workforce flexibility, and operational efficiency.

Jenny Ellis: Host

Jenny Ellis hosts the Retail Inspiration Series and brings extensive experience helping organisations improve workforce operations. She moderates the discussions and connects insights from different retail environments, ensuring each session delivers practical takeaways for attendees.

Session 3: From Staffing to Strategy

June 17, 2026 | 13:00 CET

Forecasting is often seen as a technical feature. In reality, it is becoming a strategic capability for modern retailers. In this session we discuss how organisations are using forecasting and labour modelling to rethink workforce planning.

Speakers:

Jason Francis: Workforce Strategy Consultant

Jason Francis works with retailers to design workforce strategies that align forecasting, labour planning, and operational execution. He helps organisations transform workforce data into actionable operational insight.

Jenny Ellis: Host

Jenny Ellis hosts the Retail Inspiration Series and brings extensive experience helping organisations improve workforce operations. She moderates the discussions and connects insights from different retail environments, ensuring each session delivers practical takeaways for attendees.

Session 4: Future-Ready Retail: Building a Workforce Strategy for the Next Era

July 15, 2026 | 13:00 CET

Retail workforce strategy is evolving quickly. The organisations that succeed will be those that combine operational efficiency with strong employee engagement. In this final session we explore how retailers can prepare their workforce strategy for the future.

Speakers

Jenny Ellis: Host

Jenny Ellis hosts the Retail Inspiration Series and brings extensive experience helping organisations improve workforce operations. She moderates the discussions and connects insights from different retail environments, ensuring each session delivers practical takeaways for attendees.

Erin Oldershaw: Retail Workforce & Transformation Specialist

Erin Oldershaw advises retail organisations on workforce transformation, analytics, and future-ready strategies. She supports organisations in building resilient workforce models that support operational performance and employee experience.

What You’ll Gain from the Series

• Practical retail-focused insights
• Real examples from other retail organisations
• Frameworks that can be applied immediately
• Strategic perspectives beyond technology

Participants will also have the opportunity to request a complimentary Retail Workforce “Look Under the Hood” session with Simms & Associates experts.