Retail, and especially food retail, is a game of thin margins, where the productivity and engagement of frontline employees are critical to success. CEOs and Sales Directors understand that these people are not just the face of the brand but also the engine driving revenue growth. Yet, motivating, retaining and increasing the performance of these employees remain the industry’s most persistent challenges.
Traditional bonus schemes often miss the mark. By focusing narrowly on sales targets, they fail to recognize the broader contributions employees make, leaving them frustrated and undervalued. External factors like foot traffic, new competition, product assortment or pricing, on which employees have no means of significantly influencing in the short term, further undermine a sense of fairness, fueling disengagement and turnover.
Ana Pan, a leading European bakery and coffee shop chain, has partnered with Moonstar.ai to pioneer a new bonus scheme that not only empowers employees but also aligns their efforts with business goals. The result? A win-win approach that benefits both the workforce and the bottom line.
Ana Pan’s previous bonus scheme reflected a common issue in retail: it prioritized sales performance while neglecting other critical aspects of the job. Employees voiced concerns about the perceived unfairness of a system that judged their efforts based on many factors outside their control.
Paula, one of its sales associates, shared:
“Under the old bonus scheme, I felt like my efforts didn’t matter. How could I control my bonus when it depended on how many customers walked through the door?”
Andrea, a colleague, added:
“It was frustrating to be judged only on sales targets when so much of my work, like helping customers or maintaining the store clean, wasn’t recognized.”
In response, Ana Pan adopted a more inclusive incentive model powered by Moonstar.ai. The new scheme rewards employees across multiple dimensions, ensuring their contributions are acknowledged and valued. Here’s how it breaks down:
This balanced structure ensures employees can influence a majority of their bonuses through actionable behaviors rather than external variables.
The redesigned bonus scheme addresses key pain points, creating a system where employees feel their efforts are meaningfully acknowledged. The transparency and inclusivity of the model inspire greater engagement and motivation.
By incorporating multiple performance components, Ana Pan’s bonus scheme ensures that all facets of an employee’s role are recognized. For example, a sales associate in a low-traffic store can still earn a significant bonus by excelling in customer service, their audit reviews or completing training modules. This approach fosters equity and builds morale across teams.
Moonstar.ai’s dashboards provide employees with real-time updates on their performance across all bonus components. This transparency empowers them to take ownership of their progress and adjust their efforts immediately.
Dynamic leaderboards, badges, and point systems create an environment where employees are motivated to continuously improve. Seasonal challenges, such as boosting NPS scores or increasing sales in specific categories, add excitement and drive performance.
The Moonstar.ai platform amplifies recognition by celebrating achievements on a company-wide news feed. Public acknowledgment of individual and team efforts fosters a culture of appreciation and further motivates employees.
At the heart of Ana Pan’s success is Moonstar.ai. The platform delivers actionable insights, fosters motivation, and creates a transparent environment for tracking and celebrating progress.
What sets Moonstar.ai apart is how it transforms everyday tasks into opportunities for motivation and collaboration. Through its gamification features, the platform not only drives performance but also fosters a sense of belonging and shared purpose among employees.
For example, a recent campaign challenged employees to boost sales in a specific product category while maintaining stellar NPS scores. The campaign wasn’t just about hitting numbers; it encouraged teams to think creatively, communicate effectively, and focus on the customer experience. Employees earned recognition through achievement badges and leaderboards, which added a friendly competitive edge and a sense of pride in their accomplishments.
One employee shared:
“What I love about these challenges is how they make us feel like part of something bigger. It’s not just about the bonus—it’s about seeing our impact and knowing it’s appreciated.”
By gamifying key objectives, Moonstar.ai creates a vibrant, dynamic workplace where success is celebrated and progress is always within reach. Seasonal challenges keep the energy high, while the intrinsic rewards of teamwork and recognition reinforce long-term engagement.
Ana Pan’s journey offers a powerful example for CEOs and Sales Directors looking to rethink employee incentives. Motivated frontline teams deliver exceptional customer experiences, achieve better sales, and improve operational efficiency. By aligning employee efforts with business objectives, Ana Pan’s bonus scheme provides a blueprint for long-term success.
Moonstar.ai’s platform makes this transformation scalable and impactful. Its tools for performance tracking, gamification, and recognition empower retail leaders to unlock their teams’ full potential.