I've been with Target for 2 years, and my primary job on the flow team is in softlines. Over this period of time, we have tried many different ways to make our process faster. At the present time, our pallets are separated by hanging, folding/one spot, shoes and baby hardlines. We have one person that does folding/shoes/one spot, generally two to work the hanging, and one that does baby hardlines/softlines. We are set up in the aisle in the area of shoes, boys/girls, baby, intimates, with the z-racks closest to the racetrack, and the folding person set up in front of boys/girls. The person that does the folding bowls out her boxes in front of the corresponding carts. Hanging places their pallet in a shoe aisle.
Pallet pulling is done by each area, with both folding/hanging ladies pulling the baby pallets when necessary. Everything with the exception of packaged underwear/socks are unwrapped (we have found that leaving these things in there respective packaging until stocking is actually faster). Since we are in view of each other (we weren't before), it is much easier to see if one area is getting a larger than usual quantity, so that we can change our personnel around a little when needed. We also have a great team of 4 people that are very willing to assist each other when needed. Once the truck is finished, we get a 5th person to help us finish.
Once the breakout is finished (generally around 7am) we break off. Two work ready-to-wear and all of the ladies, one works men's, one in boys/girls, and baby hardlines stays where she is. As soon as one person finishes, they go to wherever help is needed. Once all of the clothing is finished, we go to shoes, and if it's a really good day, then to one-spot before we go to hardlines.
I think the thing that slows softlines down most of the time is when we receive a lot of new product. We are to use the adjacency to place the new items in their proper places, and sometimes that's easier said than done, especially if there is still a lot of product in that particular area. That generally will slow us down, and I sometimes think that the TL's don't understand that. The new hanging products can really be a nightmare sometimes, and I know that the numbers that the TL's receive about the truck can't possibly include checking the adjacency. It can be very frustrating for us sometimes, but I really enjoy what I do.