According to a retail industry report, the retail market is expected to reach a valuation of $30 trillion by 2024. The industry is one of the biggest sectors in the US, and has hundreds of thousands of physical outlets located all over the country.
As a retail store owner, you need to keep your premises clean, functional, and safe for customers and employees. Even getting a small complaint related to cleaning and maintenance issues can result in an operational disaster for your business, resulting in tons of money lost.
To make sure this does not happen to you, let’s discuss the impact of retail store cleaning and maintenance and how to optimize it.
Retail Store Cleaning and Maintenance
Effective retail store cleaning and maintenance ensure that your facilities remain functional, safe, and reliable and serve customers conveniently. If you neglect maintenance, it can result in downtime, which can reduce the productivity of your business; as such, planning cleaning and maintenance preemptively before an incident occurs is a crucial factor in running a sound retail business.
Performing retail store cleaning and maintenance is your best solution. Do not leave your premises unmaintained, as that can result in disaster. In fact, it is more cost-effective to do preventative maintenance than fix a failure. This also ensures that the facilities and equipment in your store last a long time.
Hiring a qualified and professional commercial facilities solutions provider can help ensure preventative maintenance in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible. It is a good idea to schedule routine maintenance with your contractor and build a strong relationship with them so that you become their priority client. This will ensure they will put you first in case of emergency maintenance and will be aware of your store’s equipment and facilities and how to maintain them.
Retail Store Cleaning
Your store’s cleanliness and hygiene are crucial aspects of creating a safe, engaging, and pleasurable setting for your customers and employees. You do not want to sacrifice the sanitation of your retail store; otherwise, you can say goodbye to your business. The below-mentioned spots in the store need to be addressed properly when it comes to cleaning.
Storefront: A clean storefront is essential for visibility and is instrumental in making a great impression on your customers.
Floors: It is important to clean the floors of your retail store multiple times a day. The last thing you want is your customer slipping on spilled liquid.
Entryways: To ensure your store remains clean, you should also consider placing a doormat at your store’s entrance to reduce the first from your customer’s shoes.
Facilities: Make sure your storefront’s facilities, like the dressing rooms and the restrooms, remain clean and sanitary. Do not ignore these spots since customers need to use them comfortably. Make sure that your cleaning service cleans these rooms multiple times a day, depending on the level of traffic you get.
Air Quality: Good air quality is part of your store’s cleaning service. Your store should be well-ventilated with air filters keeping your store smelling clean and fresh.
Shopping Carts: Shopping carts are a hotbed of germs. If your retail store uses shopping carts, it is important that you disinfect them and let the shoppers know you follow this good hygiene practice. We recommend cleaning the shopping carts after each use or providing your customers with disinfecting wipes to wipe down the carts and baskets themselves.
High-Contact Areas: Your retail store has many high-contact areas that are touched by all kinds of people. These surfaces include displays, door handles, reception desks, refrigerator doors, handheld scanners, POS terminals, and more. These high-contact areas need to be cleaned several times a day and thoroughly disinfected as well.
Retail Store Maintenance
Retail store maintenance involves a range of maintenance activities that keep your store safe and functional. The type of store maintenance services you require depends on the size and complexity of your premises. For example, a small local shop will have different maintenance requirements than a large multiplex big-box store.
However, there are a few services that are common to all. These include:
- General cleaning services
- Commercial waste recycling services
- Maintenance of parking lots
- Inspection and maintenance of elevators and escalators
- HVAC maintenance and repairs
- Electrical and plumbing repairs
- Pest control services and fumigation
- Backup generator service and repair
Retail store maintenance might seem like a lot of work; however, it is essential for the success of the retail store and can streamline the customer shopping experience.
Impact of Retail Store Cleaning and Maintenance
Preventative maintenance is essential for the smooth operations of your retail store.
Reduced Operational Costs
There are several benefits of preventative maintenance to your store. Being quick about solving issues with equipment and machines will allow them to operate for a long time and give you more value for your money.
By arranging to get your equipment maintained and repaired at the right time, you can prevent large-scale malfunctioning or system failure and save money on getting emergency maintenance – which might also include replacement of assets and overtime pay. This also includes other kinds of systems and assets, including electrical equipment, plumbing, and lighting.
Keeping your machines and systems in good condition reduces wear and tear and prolongs their life. The longer your equipment and machines last, the lower costs you will incur.
Optimal Performance
Retail stores depend on their machines and equipment to ensure that shoppers get the best service. However, it is an unfortunate fact that these equipment often malfunction. Just imagine the lighting in the store suddenly going off and interrupting your busy morning. 90% of the time, such situations can be avoided if you have performed maintenance.
Improved Brand Image
One of the main reasons why your retail store needs maintenance is to make your premises comfortable, accessible, and safe. After all, your customers will not want to spend time in a place that is dirty, ill-maintained, and shabby. Regular retail store maintenance and cleaning can benefit your brand in many ways. These include:
- Keeping your customers happy and coming for more
- Ensuring your customers leave good reviews
- Increased value of your property over time
- Reducing the risk of liability, litigation, and bad reputation
Schedule Retail Store Cleaning and Maintenance with Facilities USA
At Facilities USA, we can help you upgrade your retail store premises through our professional retail store cleaning and maintenance programs. Our licensed and insured employees use the right equipment and follow industry standards and best practices to ensure your facilities remain functional and safe.
Schedule our services anywhere in the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Email us today at Inquiry@FacilitiesUSA.com.
