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Franchisors looking to expand locations and capitalize on local food trends plentiful within the United States have a wide range of solutions aiding their decision-making processes. One such solution, often seen as a money-saving measure, is that of a dairy case stacker. These stackers are designed to offer easier and more efficient stocking and restocking of dairy products in supermarkets and other retail settings, but as with any undertaking, there are both pros and cons to consider.
The concept of a dairy case stacker is a simple one. Essentially, these stackers are designed to store and restock dairy products, such as milk, cream, and butter, far more efficiently than a human employee. The stackers reduce labor costs and enable supermarkets and other retail stores to stock shelves with dairy products in a more organized manner, ensuring higher customer satisfaction. While this may sound ideal, let us take a closer look at the pros and cons of dairy case stackers.
Pros:
The most obvious pro of dairy case stackers is that they save $$$! As mentioned, stackers save retail stores money by reducing the need for human labor to stock shelves with dairy products. Less labor translates to fewer payroll costs, enabling stores to put more money into other more important areas of their business.
In addition to saving money, dairy case stackers also offer more efficient shelving of dairy products. As stockers never move, they allow for uninterrupted filling of products, while robotic arms and stacking systems provide precise, orderly shelving with minimal human intervention. With shelves clearly organized, customers can find items faster, increasing customer satisfaction and resulting in higher sales.
Cons:
The first downside of dairy case stackers is that they are expensive. Most stores require special modifications to fit them in, and although they can save money in the long-run, the up-front investment is not always cheap.
In addition, some are concerned about the ethics of replacing of human workers with machines. This can be particularly prevalent in areas with higher unemployment, where many people look for job and economic security. Lastly, some stackers can be unreliable at times and require more repairs and servicing, leading to longer downtime and the need for more maintenance personnel.
Final notions
At the end of the day, dairy case stackers offer a wide range of benefits, from cost savings to more efficient stocking and shelving. On the other hand, the downside does exist, from up-front costs to ethical concerns involving the replacing of human workers with machines. Before investing in stackers, it is worth considering all the pros and cons in order to make the most informed decision possible.
