#Japan #Chuo-ku #Tsunagu Group #alumni hiring #Kainz

Kainz Embraces Alumni Hiring for Effective Recruitment

In a bold move to tackle the persistent challenges of recruitment in the retail sector, Kainz, a leading home improvement chain in Japan, has fully integrated the 'Alumnia' alumni hiring service provided by Tsunagu Group Holdings. With this initiative, Kainz aims to not only reduce its recruitment costs significantly but also to ensure a steady supply of skilled personnel familiar with their operational needs.

The Background: Addressing Staffing Challenges

As Japan grapples with a decrease in its labor force due to aging and declining birth rates, the retail and service industries have found it increasingly difficult to secure part-time and temporary workers. Traditional recruitment methods where businesses continuously post new job openings often lead to several issues:

• - Rising Recruitment Costs: Constantly seeking new candidates increases expenses associated with advertising and hiring.
• - Training Costs for New Hires: Fresh recruits require significant training, which can be time-consuming and costly.
• - Decline in On-site Productivity: Frequent turnover can disrupt team cohesion and efficiency, affecting overall productivity.

For Kainz, where maintaining a reliable workforce is critical to operations, transitioning to an alternative hiring strategy became imperative.

Introducing Alumnia: A Circular Talent Approach

The Alumnia system implemented by Kainz seeks to maintain relationships with former part-time employees—referred to as alumni—by creating pathways for their return during times of need. Instead of viewing employee departures as definitive ends, Alumnia promotes:

• - Flexible Re-employment Based on Demand: Alumni can rejoin the workforce according to the ebb and flow of business needs.
• - Utilization of Pre-trained Talent: By re-hiring experienced individuals, the company can minimize training costs significantly.
• - Continuous Talent Engagement: This cultivates a culture of loyalty where alumni are incentivized to return, benefitting both themselves and the company.

As a result of implementing Alumnia, Kainz has successfully reduced recruitment costs by approximately 30% while stabilizing operations through the strategic engagement of skilled personnel. This initiative not only delivers measurable cost savings but also enhances the overall efficiency of the hiring process by simplifying the acquisition of necessary staff at crucial times.

Kainz is currently exploring the expansion of this program into other stores not yet involved, with the broader goal of optimizing workforce management across its parent company, Baycia Group, which employs around 31,409 individuals as of February 2025, including full-time, part-time, and temporary staff.

Discover More: Implementation Case Study Video

For those interested in understanding this innovative approach in greater detail, Kainz has released a case study video showcasing the successful implementation of the Alumnia system.

Watch the Kainz Case Study Video

About Tsunagu Group Holdings

Founded in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Tsunagu Group Holdings (TSE Standard Code: 6551) specializes in recruitment solutions, including consulting and outsourcing services. The company is committed to addressing Japan's pressing labor supply issues while delivering a wide range of solutions to large enterprises with over 1,000 employees. By leveraging consulting, RPO (recruitment process outsourcing), and an extensive database, they aim to help businesses optimize their workforce effectively.

For more information, visit Tsunagu Group Holdings.