As a convenience store owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your customers have a smooth and enjoyable shopping experience. With the broad nature of your offerings, that can seem somewhat challenging! Here are a few tips on how you can be sure to deliver.
Cleanliness and Organization
Keep your store clean and well-organized. No one wants to shop in a dirty or cluttered store. Make sure to regularly sweep and mop the floors, dust surfaces, and empty trash cans. Don’t forget things like knocking down cobwebs and keeping walls clean – especially if you serve convenience foods.
In the back room, be sure to keep shelves tidy and stock neatly stacked. Keep your isles open enough for customers to pass without knocking over merchandising displays. This will help you maintain an efficient operation and will make it easier for customers to find what they need.
Friendly and Helpful Staff
Your staff should be friendly and helpful at all times. This means greeting customers as they enter the store, offering assistance when needed, and being polite and respectful at all times. If you have a customer service desk, be sure that it is always manned by someone who is ready to help.
Maintenance
No pleasant shopping experience includes noticeable and concerning maintenance problems. If you have broken shelves, fix them immediately. Pay particularly close attention to your cold cases. Expired or spoiled food is a sure way to draw negative attention to your store, and possibly even earn a health inspection violation. Hussmann case parts can help keep your cases in tip-top working condition so your food stays fresh, appealing, and to code.
Clear Pricing and Easy Checkout
Your pricing should be clear and easy to understand. Nothing frustrates customers more than hidden fees or unexpected charges. Be sure to clearly mark prices on all products and have a clearly posted policy on sales taxes and other fees. At the checkout, be sure that your register is functioning properly and that your staff is familiar with how to use it. There should be no delays in getting customers through the line.
Restrooms
Convenience stores are often a pit-stop for busy or traveling people. As such, it’s important to have restrooms and to keep them clean and stocked. Be sure to regularly check for needed supplies and restock as necessary. Restrooms should be cleaned and touched up several times a day, particularly if they see high traffic. By doing so, you fill an important human need, and customers are likely to purchase something before leaving your store.
By following these tips, you can be sure that your convenience store is providing a smooth shopping experience
