The idea of an employee uniform store isn’t just about a digital catalogue where your team can pick out their workwear. It’s a robust system that can simplify your uniform ordering and distribution, offering both the employer and the employee multiple benefits.
A well-built company uniform store improves employee satisfaction, removes the need to manage inventory, controls distribution, and saves valuable resources for your organization.
What is a Company Uniform Store?
An employee uniform store is a dedicated online or physical platform where employees can select and order their approved work attire. The store usually offers a curated range of uniform options that align with the company’s branding and professional standards. In many cases, companies allocate a specific “uniform allowance” or “issuance quantity allotment” to each employee, which they can use to purchase items from the store. The primary purpose of an employee uniform store is to streamline the process of uniform procurement, ensuring that all employees have access to standardized, high-quality work attire while also offering them some level of choice and autonomy. This approach simplifies inventory management for the employer and often enhances employee satisfaction.
Creating an Employee Uniform Store
And Why You Should Outsource It!
Depending on what brought you here today, you may be considering building your own uniform store or trying to find a solution that you could utilize independently to manage your uniform program. There are a variety of reasons why you should consider outsourcing the uniform store for your company and employees.
Cost-Efficiency
Developing and maintaining an in-house uniform store can be costly, requiring a significant upfront investment in technology, design, and user experience expertise. An outsourced solution often comes with a fixed or predictable cost structure, saving the organization money in the long run. Unitec Distribution Systems uses their infrastructure to pass along this functionality at no additional cost to your organization.
Expertise
Third-party vendors who specialize in uniform stores have the industry knowledge and technical expertise to create a seamless and functional experience. They know what works and what doesn’t, which can dramatically shorten the learning curve for companies new to the process.
Time Savings
Creating an in-house solution can be time-consuming, requiring collaboration between multiple departments such as IT, HR, and procurement. Outsourcing allows companies to launch their uniform store more quickly, letting them focus on core business activities. It also frees up internal resources from having to manage product sourcing and distribution.
Inventory Management
Many outsourced solutions offer advanced inventory management systems that remove the need for the company to maintain its own inventory. This can be a significant benefit, reducing costs associated with warehousing, stock management, and unused items. Unitec Distribution Systems handles all ordering and inventory management on behalf of its customers, fully removing you from the uniform business.
Scalability
If you build your own system, you may quickly outgrow the configuration. Outsourced uniform partners have tools that are designed to easily scale with your business, accommodating changes in employee numbers, uniform options, and even expanding into multiple locations and/or states without requiring significant retooling.
Security and Compliance
Trusted third-party vendors often have robust security measures in place to protect both the company and the employees during the transaction process. They can also ensure that uniform options comply with industry standards and regulations, providing peace of mind for the organization.
Customer Support
Offering dedicated customer support for sizing, exchanges, and returns is often part and parcel of an outsourced uniform solution. This offloads the responsibility from internal teams, providing a better experience for employees. Our Account Managers undergo extensive training on Unitec’s proven uniform management solution.
Analytics and Reporting
Outsourced solutions usually come with built-in analytics and reporting tools, offering insights into employee preferences, spending patterns, and inventory levels, which can be invaluable for future planning and budgeting.
As you can see, there is a lot that goes into setting up and managing a company uniform store for your employees. Collaborating with Unitec Distribution Systems ensures your employees will have access to an online portal that allows them to place orders based on their specific uniform allotment and needs. We take care of the rest from technology and customer service to inventory control and distribution.
Optimizing Your Uniform Program
One of the most compelling reasons to partner with a managed uniform provider, like Unitec Distribution Systems, is the expertise they bring to the table, particularly when it comes to optimizing and controlling your uniform program. We handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on what you do best—running your business.
Here are some of the ways a managed uniform provider can help optimize your uniform program:
Identify Items Your Employees Want to Wear
Our Account Managers are exposed to multiple brands and items on a regular basis. They are able to pull from their experience across numerous industries and occupations to identify which items are the best fit for your organization’s needs.
Define and Manage Your Uniform Allowance
Before launching your employee uniform store, it’s imperative to lay down the financial groundwork. Setting a uniform allowance is not merely a budgeting exercise; it’s a strategic decision that impacts both employee satisfaction and company branding. Do you limit uniforms by budget, item, or seniority? Your uniform allowance should be defined clearly, factoring in the needs of different roles within the company, employee preferences, and a variety of other factors. Read more about Structuring Your Uniform Allowance.
Outsource Inventory Management and Distribution
The beauty of a well-implemented employee uniform program is that you don’t need to maintain a large inventory. However, it’s important to monitor which items are popular and might run out of stock. As a managed uniform provider, we handle this on your behalf and keep the process seamless.
By leveraging the expertise of a managed uniform provider, you can turn your employee uniform program into a well-oiled machine that benefits both the company and its employees.
We Take You Out of the Uniform Business!
Unitec Distribution Systems takes the headaches out of managing your uniform purchases and distribution. The magic of Unitec Distribution Systems is the combination of our proprietary uniform management software, The Proximity System™, and our dedicated account managers. Together, we’re able to streamline uniform distribution while improving morale and reducing waste.
Unitec is a certified women-owned small business.