How retailers can adapt during the coronavirus pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has transformed the way retailers work.

Although restrictions have now been lifted, it’s still vital that businesses and consumers work together to reduce the transmission of the virus.

As a retailer, it’s your responsibility to ensure your premises are COVID-secure, following all government regulations to create a safe environment for your shoppers. Below, we’ve rounded up some things you can do to adapt to the current situation.

Limit the number of customers in-store

We may have moved on from the mile-long supermarket queues, but it’s still important that you know how many customers you can reasonably allow into your retail outlet at any given time. Too few and you’ll struggle to generate a profit, too many and customers won’t be able to follow social distancing. Remind customers as they enter the store that they’re responsible for following social distancing measures and supervising their children who enter the store.

Offer hand sanitisation and add social distancing markers

Something else you can do to reduce the spread of the coronavirus is to offer customers hand sanitiser or handwashing facilities as they enter your premises. You should also ask customers to avoid handling products where possible, and add social distancing markers to the floor and queue line to ensure customers stay at least one meter apart. Where face masks must be worn, hang posters and make regular tannoy reminders. It might also be worth employing a security guard to monitor compliance. 

Adjust your store layout

Spend time looking at the way customers move through your store. It could be an option to adjust your displays to reduce congestion and contact between customers. For example, you might want to relocate your click-and-collect kiosk during the pandemic or get customers to queue around the perimeter of the store so social distancing can be maintained. If you need to make changes to your store’s layout or car parking access, consider disabled shoppers.

You may also want to consider working with businesses in neighbouring stores to organise a parking system and install facilities such as bike racks to reduce the need for public transport where possible. If you do need to make customers queue outdoors, consider their safety by installing barriers and signage and ensuring that vehicles cannot access queue lines. If your retail outlet is in a retail park or in a shopping centre, speak to your landlord for assistance. 

Think about ventilation

All areas of your building should be well ventilated with maximum fresh air supply where possible. Many retail outlets have temporarily increased their existing ventilation rate by adjusting their fan speed, though you should monitor ventilators and filters in accordance with any manufacturer’s instructions. If you don’t have ventilation, keep doors and windows open where possible and use fans to improve air circulation throughout the pandemic.

Consider customer toilets

Keeping customer toilets open and accessible is key to ensuring good personal hygiene and reducing the spread of COVID-19. Invest in signs and posters to promote good handwashing and ensure that you offer both soap and hand sanitizer in toilets. Your literature should also ask customers not to touch their face, and to cough into a tissue or their arm. Adding social distancing markers to the floor is a good idea if your toilets are often busy. You could also consider a one-in-one-out approach to ensure customers are socially distanced at all times.

Paper towels should be regularly restocked and hand driers should be serviced regularly to ensure handwashing facilities can be provided. You should increase the frequency of toilet cleaning and pay additional attention to frequently touched surfaces. Ventilation should be increased, and waste facilities should be increased to prevent a build-up of paper towels.

Cleaning your retail outlet

It might sound obvious, but upping your usual cleaning regime is vital during the pandemic.

Clean work areas and equipment between uses and limit the sharing of frequently-touched machinery like tills. Self-checkouts, trolleys, and other devices are a priority, and offering customers the ability to clean their own equipment when they enter the store is a good way to bring down the cost and reduce downtime. Personal workspaces should be cleaned after a member of staff finishes a shift and personal belongings should be limited where possible. 

Most retailers have closed fitting rooms on a temporary basis, but if you do need them, make sure they’re cleaned between uses and delay the return of clothing back to the shop-floor.

Do you have any tips for adapting during the coronavirus pandemic? Let us know on Twitter @PrecisionFM and get in touch if you’re looking for a facilities management service provider.