Keeping it Fresh

Someone once told me that when you run out of new ideas and ways to improve, your business becomes stagnant. I believe that’s true. Keeping your store fresh, clean and inviting is one of the puzzle pieces of good business.

It’s likely you have walked through your shop hundreds (if not thousands) of times. Its easy to become complacent. I’m certain that there are areas or displays that could use a clean up or reset.

One way to accomplish this is to break the store down into sections. A “deep clean” by section will make an immediate difference.

This type of cleaning involves removing all product from the shelves. This gives you the opportunity to clean or replace damaged or worn shelving. Now is the time to look for shopworn or expired products. You might markdown the shopworn and toss the expired.

It’s a good idea to mark down product close to expiration. A “Use Me Soon” sticker with a percentage or dollars off discount works well. It’s better to recoup your investment than to throw product away once it expires.

In restocking the shelves, wipe down all product. Now would be a good time to think about how you categorize products to make it easier for your customers to shop. Clean, fronted product, labels out shows attention to detail. You might even go so far as to make products that have sprayers all face the same direction.

Counter areas should be uncluttered, except for a few well chosen impulse items.

Mops, brooms and cleaning supplies should be out of sight. A well stocked, neat clean up station for shops that allow pets is important.

Once you have deep cleaned and de-cluttered, you might arrange for scheduled maintenance, by section. You can even delegate specific areas to members of your staff.

Your customers will appreciate the attention to detail. It’s one of the many ways you show them how important they are to you.