The coronavirus pandemic has certainly taken its toll on retail this year and it is a long road back for those in this industry. The lockdowns have halted business for lengthy periods, but even when non-essential stores have been open there has been a great deal of anxiety amongst consumers which has stopped many from stepping foot in-store.
Alleviating Anxiety & Protecting Public Health
Businesses in the retail sector will obviously be desperate to get back to normal and to welcome people to their shop, but they will also want to do their part to protect the health of staff, customers and the public as a whole. This means that businesses in the retail sector need to find ways to alleviate customer worries, create a COVID-secure environment and encourage people through the door.
Following Guidelines
While this might seem like a daunting task, it is not too challenging to set up a safe store which will bring people in and give them an enjoyable shopping experience. Obviously, the key is to listen to what the Government guidelines are and follow the advice to a T. This is likely to include a limit on the number of people in-store, hand sanitizer stations, enforcing mask-wearing and getting people to maintain social distancing.
Communicating with Signage
Many stores have found that it is easy to set up a safe shopping environment for their customers but it is actually quite hard to maintain this once the doors are open and customers are coming in. Obviously, it is challenging to communicate the rules and regulations for everyone which comes through the door which is why signage is so important. Having clear signage around the shop will inform people of what the rules are as well as help to keep them fresh in everyone’s mind (including staff).
Signage Ideas
Smart ideas for signage in the store include floor markings which are at least 1 meter apart, posters reminding people to wear a mask and wash their hands and signs out the front of the shop welcoming people and informing them that you are COVID-secure. High-quality, professional and eye-catching signage is a crucial way to make your store safe and encourage people through the door.
It is understandable that retailers will want to do all that they can to bring people through the door while continuing to protect public health. It is important to understand that consumer confidence is low and many are anxious about shopping in-store, so taking action to create a safe environment is important both from a public health perspective but also for restoring confidence and helping people to feel safe when shopping in your store.
