It’s hard to say exactly how much longer restrictions might be in place, but with the vaccine rollout well underway, things are beginning to look much more positive. 

There’s no doubt that retailers up and down the country will be eager to know when they can safely reopen their stores to customers, but when the opportunity does arise, do you have a plan in place to make the most of it? 

Briefing the team 

Depending on the size of your business and how many staff are on board, there’s no harm in having a quick catch-up call just to see how everybody is doing and what they’ve been up to. You could do this in person (if restrictions allow) or online. 

Just an hour of time spent talking as a team is more than enough to discuss your plans going forward, plus brief other members of staff on any new promotions or ranges they may not already be aware of. 

Getting acquainted with your products

New products are hitting the shelves all the time and it’s important to have a well-rounded knowledge of everything you sell. As an example, we’re just starting spring, so gardening products are going to prove very popular. 

Take some time to go through your store before you open up and refresh yourself with any information you’re unsure about, whether it’s for a new product or one you already stocked. Believe us, it will make selling much easier once customers start coming in to visit you. 

Setting up shop

Of course, even once you’re allowed to welcome customers into your brick and mortar store, chances are you will have to have a few safety measures in place. Make sure you keep an eye on all the relevant Government guidance to meet the requirements with minimal hassle. 

From hand sanitiser to social distancing stickers and counter shields, make sure you’ve got everything in order in plenty of time. 

And finally… tell your customers!

When the day finally comes and retailers can fully open back up, make sure all your customers know about it! You could schedule in some social posts building up to the reopening day, or even send out an email if you have an appropriate mailing list. 

Make sure you include details of any rules you put in place so that shoppers know what to expect, such as social distancing measures or queueing arrangements. 

In the meantime, stay safe, focussed and positive and, when you do reopen, the whole team at Stax wish you the best of luck!