Rethink Your Shop’s Layout

First, rethink the way you have your shop organised. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut and keep things the same way, even though a different system may be more efficient. The way you arrange products and display things makes a big difference and could actually help you get more customers and make more sales.

Start by assessing how your shelves and display cases are set up and ask yourself if there are ways the arrangement could be more efficient. Make sure you are showing off your best products and that it is easy for your customers to find things and move around your store.

You should also consider where things like the cash registers, customer service desk, shopping carts and other services are located and make sure they are easy for your customers to use.

Clean your Store from Top to Bottom

While you are rearranging and improving your store’s layout, take the opportunity to do a deep clean. A clean store is more attractive to customers, more comfortable and able to establish a professional reputation.

Your customers do notice when your store isn’t clean, and it could reflect poorly on your business. If you aren’t able to keep your own store clean and running smoothly, why should people depend on you to provide the best products and services?

Dust and wipe down all shelves, display cases and counters and make sure products are neatly and attractively arranged. Clean light fixtures and hire a floor scrubber to make your floors shine (you can easily do it with just one click here: www.hss.com/c/1014427/Floor-Scrubbers.html).

Don’t forget to clean the front of your shop and sweep walkways and steps, repair outdoor fixtures and repaint your store, fences and signs as needed. Your parking lot should be clean and safe, with easy-to-read signs and proper lighting.

Put Yourself in Your Customers’ Shoes

Take some time to put yourself in your customers’ shoes and look at the way your store is run from their perspective. Analyse the way you serve them, offer products, provide customer support and how quickly you are able to meet their needs.

The changes you make will depend on the kind of store you have, but when you look at things from your customers’ point of view, you might be surprised at what you learn. When processes are smooth and fast and when customers feel that you have their best interest in mind, they will be more likely to return to your shop and even refer their friends to you.

Plan for Promotions

You probably already have a marketing plan in place for 2014, either one that you created or one that your corporate office has provided. Make sure that everything so far goes according to plan and be ready for seasonal promotions. When you plan well in advance for sales, events, promotions and other marketing tactics, you are always ready to make the most of them.

Planning for promotions could mean ordering extra inventory, doing some extra cleaning, adding display cases, changing your store hours or providing extra training for employees. The goal is to make sure you and your store are ready to make promotional events a success so that you’ll see even more benefits.

Make Your Employees’ Jobs Easier

With all these plans and changes, don’t neglect your employees. The people who work in your store on a day-to-day basis are the people you depend on. They are the face of your shop and serve your customers directly, making sales, providing support and making sure everything from stocking the shelves to checking customers out goes smoothly.

When you make your employees’ jobs easier, your entire store will benefit. Your employees will be happier and have higher levels of job satisfaction, which can mean decreased turn over rates for your staff. Efficient employees also show your customers that your business is an industry leader and ready to help with whatever needs they may have.

Try to see your business and its operations the way your employees do and then make changes you think would make their experience better and their jobs easier. You can even use anonymous surveys, hold focus groups or informally ask for employees’ opinions to discover ways you can improve your relationships with them and help them be more efficient and successful.

These tips will help you prepare your store for the new year and find ways to make your business even more successful. When your store and employees are at their best, and when your customers are satisfied, you will excel and make the most of this year’s Easter season!

For all your cleaning tool and equipment hiring needs, please visit HSS Hire’s website and browse their Cleaning and Floorcare Collection.