Retail Smart Checklists

FLOOR ED FLOOR ED Retail Smart Checklists

Showroom Aesthetics

 Keep aisles wide and uncluttered. Customers feel awkward if they have to move and step over samples on the floor.  Can customers reach your samples? Customers are put off by items out of their reach. Remember, most women are shorter than men.  Keep your showroom clean — period! Dust the racks, pick samples off the floor and keep them in the racks. We think that if there are samples on the floor we look like we’re busy, to the customer we look like we’re disorganized and sloppy.  Perhaps your samples are numbered on the back to keep them in proper color sequence. Samples arranged in correct color sequence command more money. Think about your high priced clothing stores, all the same colors are together. Proper color sequence gives the perception of higher value.  Check samples daily for torn or missing back labels or damaged bindings. Repair or replace these samples.  Have dirty samples? If they can’t be cleaned, throw them out and replace with new ones. It’s possible that the samples do not contain adequate stain and soil resistance.  Do you want to make your carpet samples look really good? Buy a clothes steamer and steam them monthly. Steaming plumps up the samples and shows customers why steam/hot water extraction is so important.  Do you lend samples and have trouble getting them returned? Try calling them display pieces rather than samples. The word “sample” often means free. If so, why would I return it? Ask for a credit card deposit on the samples and make an appointment to meet with the customer after they have seen the samples in their home. Like the

video stores, if the displays aren’t returned on time, there will be an extra charge.  Clean fingerprints from the glass doors and windows. Do you have old and outdated stickers on the doors? Remove them with a razor blade.  Do you have a kids play area? Let parents know you’re concerned about germs and wash and disinfect the toys every week.  Make sure that toys aren’t small enough to be swallowed, objects aren’t sharp or tom. Get rid of shabby or broken toys.  Buy used videos at the Dollar Store for your kids comer.  Don’t throw your lunch papers or leftover food in the showroom trash cans. Who wants to smell old pizza all day?  If you offer your customers coffee in china cups, make sure the cups are clean when you offer the coffee. Don’t offer the coffee and then wash out the cup.  Bathrooms are more than bathrooms. Bathrooms are an important room in the house. Keep them complete with a decor that your customer could purchase for their home. Have paper towels, toilet paper and perhaps a place to change the baby. Do you have baby powder, baby wipes, extra diapers and spray disinfectant available?  Check for price and financing tickets. Are tickets legible? Computer printed tickets are better than handwritten tickets. It looks more professional.  Check your outside signage, are bulbs or letters out? Do all bulbs have the same wattage and same color?

Keep your showroom clean — period! ...We think that if there are samples on the floor we look like we’re busy, to the customer we look like we’re disorganized and sloppy.

The Sale is Closed

Before the customer leaves review the following with them and attach to the store invoice:

 Information on cleaning products and required maintenance information  Fiber warrantees, stain and soil warrantees, and manufacturer’s warrantees.  Store warrantees on products  Cleaning instructions for other flooring types  Installation warrantees on flooring  Invoice should include flooring style name, color, amount purchased and the manufacturer  Financing paperwork  Discuss seam visibility

Prior To Installation:

 Who will demo old flooring?  Disposal of old flooring materials  Who will move furniture?  Who will move appliances?  Grout color  Grout sealing  Cutting and rehanging doors  Removal and replacement of base trim  Need for special molding or trims?  Is it possible to determine the condition of subfloors?

This may require additional time and charges. This determination will be made by the installer and discussed with the customer. ■