Social Distancing Ideas for Small Retail Businesses

As we open up our businesses again and begin to try to adjust to this “new normal” of social distancing and hygiene awareness, there are many guidelines and a lot of advice about how to ensure your staff and customers are safe. This has been great in many instances but one thing that should be kept in mind is that this advice is being given by Health and Safety experts who only have health and safety in mind. As we know, running a small business, and especially in retail, requires a much more customer-centric approach where customers feel special, enjoy their shopping experience, and are able to browse and buy in comfort. This post is aimed at giving you some ideas on how you can optimize the shopping experience for your customers while not compromising on the important health and safety aspects.

Kerbside/Outdoor options

One of the safest ways for businesses to operate their business is to do so in the outdoors – at least in part. Offering call/click and collect services can be a great way to ensure safety. To give a better customer experience while also promoting yourself, a specific station set up outside is the best option. Using a branded canopy or tent along with banners and flags can dramatically improve the customer experience. These come in various sizes and configurations and with a little consideration, can become a valuable promotional asset. Right now, we at Colorado Canopies are offering a package of items to enable you to set up your own collection station – check it out here.

Improved displays and focused promotions

The idea of browsing and customers aimlessly wandering through stores seems a long distant memory. Now, customers are encouraged to simply pass through while picking up what they need as without delay. This is the safest approach and we encourage businesses to implement this for as long as it is necessary. However, while redesigning the store to enable this, put some thought into display appearance and consider creating several new displays to focus on specific items that are perhaps better for margin, stock level, or just most likely to be needed.

This approach puts the items very much in reach and in the eye line of even the most on-a-mission type customers on their way through the store. I have seen many stores that have implemented safety measures including one-way systems, advisory signs, and barriers, but in doing so have cut off access to some products or sections. In the rush to be safe and reopen, it is easy to forget that in retail, shelf space and ease of access to a product is vital for sales. Make sure your customers can get to everything and be sure to use prime shelf spaces for the most important products.

Encourage your staff to be extra friendly

Yes, this has always been important but never more so than in these times. Now that there are often physical barriers and a distance between your staff and customers, the personal touch is much more difficult to implement and less natural for both staff and customers.

A smile is still visible when wearing a facemask, so ensure your staff is wearing both. When possible, get staff to give a little more time to chatting with customers and building that personal connection that makes shopping a pleasurable activity.

Remember to give your staff the same courtesy – it’s a huge adjustment for them too and having an understanding boss or manager who genuinely shows appreciation and care will go a long long way to building morale which will then be passed on to customers.

At Colorado Canopies…

… we love retail. We love the personal touch it can give and want to ensure your customers don’t miss out on it any more than necessary. Using our products can give your customers the best possible experience and encourages them to keep coming back. Talk to us today about your needs, what you might want to achieve, and the specifics of your business; we are sure to have solutions for you along with our own very personal touch in customer service.