Retail stores are no exception – between choosing a location and perfecting your products, there are tons of things to do, and it’s easy to overlook the small steps, but that can prepare you for business success. As small retailers guide are planning to reopen storefronts, customer and compliance concerns, ensuring customer safety while enabling sales and transactions. For retailers, the real challenge is making sure their customers feel safe when they return to the store. To gain consumer confidence, we put many additional measures in place. We’ll share some top do’s and don’t for retailers guide as we move onto the next phase of normal.
DO:
Keep cleaning supplies and protective gear visible in the store. Now customers want to see and have access to all sanitation supplies. Make sure you can provide customers with hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. Your employees should wear protective masks and gloves when they are at work. As part of your commitment to public health and safety, consider creating specialized signage for your storefront. Share this information on your social media platforms.
DON’T:
Ignoring customers for voicing concerns. Once you reopen your doors, we will arrange training with staff on the new in-store security policies. Remind your staff to give these instructions with compassion. Listen to customers when answering their questions, be positive and polite.
DO:
Have a plan. Think about how customers will enter and exit the store. Plan for more space between racks, how you will change rooms, and how to deal with “at-risk” customers. Consider your employees and what they need to stay safe, with increased space between rest areas, removal of shared snacks, use hand sanitizer and masks.
DON’T:
Rush in. If you are not ready, it will show, and it will be difficult to regain consumer trust once you lose it. Social networks will not be your friend. The behaviour of your team contributes to the overall customer experience, which should be as good, if not better, than before.
DO:
Give customers the flexibility to shop when and how they want to buy. We won’t suggest you stay open for 24 hours, but the goal is to make it easier for the customer. Add new options like Click and collect or Curbside pickup to allow shoppers to shop at home and collect their items without leaving the safety of their cars. Make sure your website is up to date and filled with detailed product descriptions.
DON’T:
Make it hard for customers to do business with you. Social distancing introduces some oncoming each day. We can get consumers to shop again, but gaining consumer trust is everything. Don’t lose it by not being prepared. It will be very difficult to get it back.
CONCLUSION:
Retailing can be a successful experience economically. But you have to be smart, thoughtful and imaginative in today’s business environment. If you have any ideas or comments, contact us. We are happy to help all retailers guide who are trying to achieve bigger.
