First impressions count in all walks of life – including the world of retail. Thanks to e-commerce and next-day delivery trends, the retail space is more competitive than ever before – especially if you rely on foot traffic.

This is why making your store as clean and inviting as possible is key. Otherwise, your potential customers will simply walk on by and take their hard-earned money somewhere else. So, to keep people coming through your doors, here are the tips you need to give off the right first impression.

1. Get Help

One of the best things that you can do is to get the help of a facilities management company. First things first, they can provide you with regular cleaning to ensure that your space is clean and prevent the build of dirt, grime, and germs. This will help to maintain the appearance of your store which will appeal to both new and existing customers.

Secondly, they can help you in several other areas too like security and design. Security will ensure that your business is protected from theft and other anti-social behaviour.

2. Create a cleaning checklist

To ensure that your essential cleaning tasks are completed, make a checklist. This will remove any confusion about expectations, and give you a tool that you can use to stay on top of your cleaning tasks. Take the time to prepare this list carefully, and ensure that everyone has the training and equipment needed to complete their required tasks.

3. Have regular tasks

Cleaning is an ongoing process that needs to be done throughout your opening hours. As people come into your store, they’ll bring the mess with them from the outside world, they will move items around, and undo all your hard work keeping your store clean.

This is why your team need to complete cleaning tasks throughout the day. If you run a clothing store, for example, it’s always a good idea to assign someone to replace clothes on hangers, refold items, and help to keep your store looking today. Neat clothes are much more appealing to customers than those tossed into a messy pile!

4. Identify problem areas

Some areas will become messier than others because they have a lot of traffic. These could be areas like the counter or the fitting rooms. Ensure that you focus on these areas to stop mess from getting out of hand. This will help to maintain the inviting nature of your retail store.

5. Re-think your store layout

Another effective step that you can take is to re-think the design of your store. Are items displayed in a favourable way? Is your store bright and inviting? Is there a clear flow that allows your customers to find their way around? If you can’t answer yes to all of these questions, it’s time to head to the drawing board!

Final Tips

By following these tips, you’ll be able to create a great first impression of your retail space!