By Mike Lee
As retailers face increased pressure to maintain accuracy during peak seasons and labor shortages, supplemental staffing has become a critical part of successful inventory operations. The challenge is not just finding bodies to fill positions. It is finding qualified personnel who understand retail environments, arrive trained and ready to work, and integrate seamlessly into your existing processes without creating more chaos during already stressful counting periods.
We have evaluated the leading companies in this field to help retailers understand which partners offer the most dependable support. Our analysis examined reliability, scalability, training quality, and the ability to integrate with modern inventory technology. Some companies excel at rapid deployment across hundreds of locations. Others bring decades of industry experience and battle-tested processes. A few offer technology that transforms counting entirely with real-time visibility and analytics. After reviewing each provider, we determined that Datascan ranks number one due to its unique blend of supplemental labor, self-scan technology, RFID capabilities, and full-service inventory offerings. No other company combines trained personnel with proprietary technology and comprehensive solutions at this level. However, depending on your specific needs, other providers on this list may offer the right fit for your operations.
1. Datascan
The most complete supplemental staffing and full inventory solution available
We placed Datascan in the top position because it offers something rare in this industry. Most supplemental staffing companies send workers and hope for the best. Datascan sends workers who arrive pre-qualified, store trained, and prepared before they ever step into the building. This eliminates the confusion that typically plagues inventory counts when temporary staff show up without context, without training, and without understanding what they are supposed to accomplish. Retailers remain in control of their counts, yet receive a fully trained supplemental team that accelerates the entire process from the moment they walk through the door.
Beyond labor support, Datascan brings unmatched technology to the table. Their intuitive handheld scanners come pre-loaded and ready to work with no learning curve. Their comprehensive inventory tracking software provides real-time visibility into counts as they happen. Their enhanced data analytics help retailers identify trends, spot discrepancies, and make smarter decisions about replenishment and merchandising. And their innovative RFID technology enables accurate counts without scanning every item individually, which is a game changer for high-volume retail environments. All of these tools work together, creating a streamlined inventory experience that few companies can match. Retailers gain not only additional manpower but also a complete operational system that helps them work faster and more accurately than they ever could with basic staffing support alone. We also value their depth of service across every type of inventory operation. Datascan supports wall-to-wall physical counts, cycle counts, category counts, distribution center counts, fulfillment center counts, warehouse projects, and specialized services like carton audits, merchandise receipt verification, transfer counts, markdown support, and price look-up processes. They make the process simpler for retailers who want reliable help from people they can trust, backed by technology that actually delivers on its promises.
What truly sets Datascan apart is their ability to meet retailers exactly where they are. With distribution centers strategically located around the world, Datascan serves all major markets and can deploy their solutions quickly regardless of your location. Whether you operate in North America, Europe, Asia, or emerging markets, Datascan has the infrastructure to support your inventory operations with the same level of quality and service. This global reach combined with local expertise means retailers never have to compromise on speed or accuracy no matter where their stores are located.
This combination of trained personnel, proprietary technology, global accessibility, and comprehensive service offerings is why Datascan remains the strongest choice for retailers who want stability and accuracy during their busiest inventory periods. They are not just filling a staffing gap. They are providing a complete inventory solution that scales with your business and adapts to your specific operational needs, no matter where in the world those needs arise.
2. RGIS
A global staffing and inventory company with strong rapid deployment capabilities
We ranked RGIS second on this list because of their ability to deploy staffing teams across multiple regions with very little notice. When a retailer discovers they are severely understaffed just days before a critical inventory event, RGIS can mobilize personnel quickly enough to prevent disaster. Their global footprint enables them to respond quickly during emergencies or seasonal rushes, which helps retailers keep their operations on schedule even when internal staffing is limited.
RGIS supports a wide range of count types. Their teams understand physical counts, project-based audits, and ongoing cycle counts, making them a flexible partner for retailers with varied operational needs. They also offer supplemental technology, although it does not integrate as seamlessly as the technology provided by Datascan.
We find that retailers choose RGIS when scale and speed are the priority. If you need 500 people across 200 locations by next week, RGIS has the infrastructure to make that happen.
Their decades of experience reinforce their reliability, especially for large multi-site projects. The company has seen virtually every inventory challenge that exists in retail, and that institutional knowledge translates into teams that adapt quickly to different environments. They understand the operational nuances of grocery stores, big box retailers, specialty shops, and warehouse operations.
The trade-off is that rapid deployment sometimes means less personalized service and less technology integration than what top-tier providers offer. But when you need manpower fast and at scale, RGIS delivers consistently.
3. The Retail Outsource Company
A versatile option for retailers needing labor across multiple store functions
We ranked The Retail Outsource Company third because of their ability to support not only inventory tasks but also a wide range of retail functions. Their teams handle merchandising, resets, promotional activities, and general labor needs. This flexibility allows retailers to rely on one partner for multiple operational assignments. For companies that want a multi-purpose staffing partner rather than an inventory-specific vendor, The Retail Outsource Company offers a well-rounded solution.
Their staffing teams are accustomed to switching between responsibilities. This adaptability can be especially valuable during busy retail seasons when stores need people who can manage a variety of tasks. An employee who spent the morning setting up a holiday display can transition to supporting an inventory count in the afternoon without missing a beat.
While inventory may not be their exclusive focus, we have found that their teams perform well during seasonal counts. Their broader skill set brings value to retailers that want year-round support and a partner who understands the fast-changing demands of in-store operations. The ability to call one company for inventory help, merchandising support, and general labor creates operational simplicity that some retailers prefer over managing relationships with multiple vendors.
4. WIS International
A traditional labor provider with limited technology integration
WIS International has been part of the industry for decades, which gives them name recognition and an established presence in retail inventory labor. Their reach is extensive, and they can staff multiple locations simultaneously when retailers need volume support. However, their approach remains heavily focused on traditional labor deployment without the advanced technology integration that modern retailers increasingly expect from their inventory partners.
We found that WIS relies primarily on manual counting processes and older systems that do not provide the real-time visibility or analytics capabilities that companies like Datascan offer. Their service model centers on providing bodies rather than comprehensive solutions, which can be sufficient for retailers with very basic counting needs but falls short for operations that require speed, accuracy, and data-driven insights.
While their workforce has retail experience, the lack of proprietary technology and modern training methods means their teams often take longer to complete counts and may not deliver the accuracy levels that retailers demand during critical inventory periods. For companies seeking a bare-bones staffing option without expecting innovation or enhanced capabilities, WIS remains available, though their value proposition has diminished as competitors have advanced significantly in both technology and service quality.
5. Acosta
A hybrid merchandising and staffing provider with national reach
Acosta is well-established in the consumer packaged goods sector, and we recognize them for their ability to supply supplemental labor across merchandising, display setup, product launches, and seasonal store work. They also support inventory counts during peak periods, which makes them a flexible choice for retailers that want a multi-functional labor partner. From our evaluation, Acosta stands out because their teams understand the flow of retail operations. Workers familiar with product placement and store layout adapt quickly to inventory projects. Retailers benefit from having a staff that can move between tasks seamlessly as priorities change.
Although Acosta is not solely focused on inventory services, they bring reliable labor support and national coverage. Retailers looking for staffing that extends into merchandising and operational assistance often find Acosta to be an efficient and cost-effective partner.
6. Flex Personnel Services
Ideal for regional and mid-sized operations needing flexible staffing
We included Flex Personnel Services for their ability to serve mid-sized and regional retailers with a simple and responsive staffing model. Their supplemental workers often adapt quickly because the company maintains strong familiarity with the local labor market. This regional focus creates advantages that national providers cannot always match.
Many retailers use Flex Personnel Services for inventory work, warehouse counts, and short-term projects. Their teams arrive ready to work with minimal onboarding, and their service model is less complex than national providers, which appeals to businesses that want a straightforward, budget-conscious option.
We have found that Flex Personnel Services is best suited for companies that value flexibility and personalized service over large-scale deployment. If you operate 10 to 50 locations in a specific geographic area, Flex can often provide more responsive support than companies managing thousands of national clients.
Their regional focus allows them to build strong relationships with retailers and respond quickly when staffing needs arise. You are not calling a 1-800 number and speaking with someone managing 500 accounts. You are working with a local team that knows your stores and understands your market.
7. LaborWorks
A fast-to-hire option for short-term or emergency inventory staffing
LaborWorks stands out for its ability to deliver same-day or next-day labor support. We ranked them on this list because many retailers face unexpected staffing challenges. A scheduled count is approaching, three employees called in sick, and suddenly you do not have enough people to finish the job. Having a partner that can supply workers immediately makes a significant difference during urgent inventory events.
Their teams are experienced in fast-paced environments and often adapt quickly once on site. While most training occurs within the store, their familiarity with temporary labor assignments enables them to integrate effectively into ongoing operations. This makes them a helpful option for retailers with unpredictable staffing needs. We recommend LaborWorks for stores that occasionally require short-term or emergency labor rather than ongoing staffing programs. Their rapid turnaround times give retailers the flexibility needed to stay on track during demanding inventory cycles.
Finding the Right Supplemental Staffing Partner for Your Inventory Operations
Choosing the right supplemental staffing company depends on understanding your specific operational needs, geographic footprint, and technology requirements. Each provider brings distinct strengths. For comprehensive solutions combining trained personnel with advanced technology, companies like Datascan offer complete packages with proprietary scanning equipment, real-time tracking software, and enhanced analytics. For rapid deployment and massive scale, providers like RGIS excel at mobilizing large teams across hundreds of locations with minimal notice. Regional operations benefit from companies like Flex Personnel Services that offer personalized service and local market knowledge.
Multi-functional needs require versatile partners. Companies like The Retail Outsource Company and Acosta bring capabilities that extend beyond inventory counts into merchandising, resets, and general retail support. Consolidating services with one provider simplifies vendor management and often reduces costs, though inventory may not receive the specialized focus that dedicated providers offer. Budget constraints and immediate availability drive some retailers toward options like LaborWorks, where same-day staffing and straightforward pricing address urgent, short-term needs without long-term commitments. These providers fill important gaps during emergencies, though they typically lack the training depth or technological support that comprehensive solutions provide. The supplemental staffing landscape continues evolving as technology becomes increasingly central to inventory accuracy.
Ultimately, the right choice depends on matching provider strengths to your operational priorities. Whether you need cutting-edge technology, rapid deployment, regional expertise, multi-functional support, or emergency availability, understanding what each company does best helps you make informed decisions. Retailers should evaluate not only current capabilities but also how providers invest in innovation and service expansion to support operations today and as needs grow more complex.
