Johnston & Murphy Boosts Retail Operations, Labor Efficiency

“It was fantastic to see how quickly and more easily it was to get the data together and to see something actionable from a store management perspective.” - Taylor Cosmo, Workforce Management Coordinator, Johnston & Murphy 

Key Takeaways 

• Real-time labor visibility replaced manual spreadsheets and reduced reporting time 

• Historical data now directly informs current fiscal year labor targets 

• Improved target assignments helped control labor costs and reduce overstaffing 

• Managers gained faster access to actionable insights for in-the-moment decision-making 

• Full operational adoption occurred within one quarter 

Background 

Johnston & Murphy is a heritage footwear and accessories retailer known for premium craftsmanship and a strong commitment to customer service. As the brand expanded its store footprint, leadership recognized that consistent execution across locations required sharper visibility into labor performance, scheduling quality, and store-level metrics. 

Spreadsheets and manual reporting processes made it difficult to connect labor planning with real-time business needs. To create a more data-driven approach to workforce management, Johnston & Murphy partnered with StoreForce to gain instant visibility into store performance and labor allocation. 

From Spreadsheets to Smart Scheduling

Before StoreForce, labor planning was heavily manual and reactive. Pulling together reports took time, and by the time insights were surfaced, opportunities to adjust staffing had often passed. 

With StoreForce, managers now access real-time data that clearly shows how labor is allocated and where adjustments are needed. Instead of piecing together historical spreadsheets, store leaders can see what is happening right now and act immediately. 

That shift allowed Johnston & Murphy to move from static reporting to proactive decision-making. Labor planning became faster, clearer, and directly tied to store performance. 

Labor Cost Control Meets Smarter Target Assignments 

One of the biggest operational wins came from improving how last year’s data informed this year’s plans. StoreForce’s intuitive interface made it far easier to analyze historical trends and translate them into accurate labor targets for the current fiscal year. 

By transforming historical data into clear planning tools, Johnston & Murphy reduced overstaffing, aligned schedules to demand, and kept labor costs in check. Managers could confidently assign hours where they mattered most, without unnecessary administrative effort. 

Fully Adopted in a Quarter: From Learning Curve to Full Operational Momentum 

Like any new system, there was an initial adjustment period. But adoption happened quickly, and within a quarter the team was fully up and running. 

StoreForce became part of the operational rhythm. Managers could track performance in real time, coach associates based on live metrics, and make informed decisions without waiting for end-of-day or end-of-week reports. 

The result was not just better scheduling, but stronger execution at the store level. 

In Johnston & Murphy’s Own Words… 

“Once we got past the learning curve, probably within a quarter we were sort of rocking and rolling. Everything is far easier in terms of using last year’s data to create and move off of those for the current fiscal year.” - Taylor Cosmo, Workforce Management Coordinator, Johnston & Murphy 

Connect with StoreForce Today 

If you want the same visibility, cost control, and operational clarity Johnston & Murphy achieved, it is time to see StoreForce in action. Whether you are struggling with disconnected data, inefficient scheduling, or rising labor costs, StoreForce gives you the tools to take control of your workforce strategy across every location. Join leading retailers using StoreForce to strengthen execution and improve profitability. Book a demo today and see what real-time workforce insight can do for your business.