Steve Madden Optimised Performance Through Scheduling

“Once we could actually see our peak hours in real time, everything changed. We stopped guessing and started staffing to what was really happening in our stores.” – Robyn Anderson, Regional Manager West Coast at Steve Madden 

Key Takeaways 

• Replaced manual spreadsheets with real-time scheduling visibility 

• Identified missed peak opportunities, including high-traffic lunch periods 

• Gained oversight across 30 stores from one centralised view 

• Reduced administrative workload for regional and store managers 

• Improved coverage, compliance, and labour alignment during peak hours 

Background 

Steve Madden is a leading footwear and fashion brand with a strong retail presence across the United States. Known for trend-forward product and high-energy in-store experiences, the brand operates a mix of high-volume locations and seasonal peak periods that demand precise execution. 

Managing labour effectively across dozens of stores requires more than instinct. As traffic patterns shift throughout the day and across seasons, aligning coverage with real customer demand becomes essential to protecting sales and maintaining service standards. 

To improve scheduling accuracy and operational visibility, Steve Madden partnered with StoreForce to bring real-time scheduling and performance insights into one centralised platform.

Real-Time Peak Visibility Replaced Guesswork with Data 

Before moving to a centralised system, schedules were built manually using spreadsheets. Staffing decisions were often based on assumptions about when traffic peaked rather than verified data. 

Robyn Anderson explained the turning point: “Prior to using the system, we would schedule later in the day because we thought that’s when peak traffic happened. But we discovered opportunities during lunch breaks, people are shopping, and we needed coverage to match that peak.” – Robyn Anderson, Regional Manager West Coast at Steve Madden 

With real-time peak visibility, managers can now see exactly when traffic surges occur and adjust coverage accordingly. This ensures: 

• Stronger staffing during verified high-traffic windows 
• Better alignment between customer flow and associate availability 
• Fewer missed sales opportunities during overlooked dayparts 
• Properly scheduled and compliant meal and rest breaks 

Instead of reacting after performance gaps appear, stores proactively align labour to demand. The result is stronger execution during the moments that matter most. 

30 Stores, One View: Regional Oversight at a Glance 

Overseeing 30 stores requires speed and clarity. Without centralised visibility, reviewing schedules, checking coverage, and confirming completion can consume hours each week. 

Robyn described the difference: “I can quickly see all my schedules across 30 stores, ensure they’re built on time, check for open shifts, and verify coverage for peak days.” – Robyn Anderson, Regional Manager West Coast at Steve Madden 

From a single dashboard, regional leadership can now: 

• Confirm schedules are completed on time 
• Spot open shifts before they impact performance 
• Review peak-hour coverage by location 
• Compare labour alignment across the region 

This level of oversight reduces reactive management. Instead of chasing updates or requesting reports, leaders have immediate insight into where attention is needed. 

For a high-volume fashion retailer, that speed directly supports sales performance. 

Centralised Scheduling Reduced Admin Time and Elevated Execution 

Manual scheduling once required pulling traffic reports, analysing performance data, and cross-referencing labour targets across multiple tools. That process limited the time leaders could spend coaching teams or focusing on customer experience. 

Robyn highlighted the operational improvement clearly: “Now everything is in one place. I can build a schedule with all the knowledge I need right in front of me, no multiple screens, no printed reports.” – Robyn Anderson, Regional Manager West Coast at Steve Madden 

With scheduling, performance data, and labour insights consolidated, stores can: 

• Build accurate schedules faster 
• Maintain stronger customer-to-associate ratios 
• Assign zones strategically based on demand 
• Adjust staffing quickly as traffic patterns shift 

By removing manual steps and disconnected systems, Steve Madden created a repeatable scheduling process that scales across regions. 

In Steve Madden’s Own Words… 

“The stores that really bought into it and the field leaders that really bought into it have seen the improvement. When you can see your peak coverage clearly and manage it in real time, you make better decisions. It has helped us operate more consistently across the region and support our teams during the busiest moments of the day.” – Robyn Anderson, Regional Manager West Coast at Steve Madden 

Connect with StoreForce Today 

If you want the same real-time visibility, peak-hour precision, and operational clarity that Steve Madden achieved, it is time to see StoreForce in action. Whether you are struggling with missed peak opportunities, inconsistent coverage across regions, or time-consuming manual scheduling, StoreForce gets you the tools to take control of retail execution. Join leading retailers using StoreForce to align labour with demand and strengthen performance across every store. Book a demo today and see what smarter scheduling can deliver for your business.