Does your store measure up?

Ensuring that areas such as the fruit and veg section and deli are fresh and appealing is essential

ShelfLife outlines the checklist of criteria retailers should adhere to if you want to ensure your store is a winner at this year’s C-Store Awards

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Ensuring that areas such as the fruit and veg section and deli are fresh and appealing is essential

Judging for the 2013 ShelfLife C-Store Awards is now underway. To help all our entrants ensure that their store is presented in top condition we have compiled a simple checklist.

Remember it’s all about getting the basics right. Motivating your staff and offering fantastic service and value. Focus on the presentation of your store, windows, signage, merchandise and staff; be innovative and daring and try and make your store stand out from your competitors.

Chairman of the judging panel Joe Comerford says: "Retailers should try and see their stores from their customer’s perspective. The owner/manager should start every day with a walk through of their premises from the car park or footpath right the way through to the backyard. Bring your diary and make a note things that need attention, if the same problems keep arising day after day, well it’s pretty obvious you have a problem and it should be addressed right away! 

"The most basic mistake that retailers make is not paying enough attention to their overall standards of hygiene. Keeping a store in tip top condition is not something that can be done once a day or even every other day and then forgotten about. It is an ongoing, continuous and yes sometimes even monotonous chore that has to be as automatic as turning on the lights and it is EVERYONE’S responsibility." says Comerford.

Retailers should also be extra vigilant in removing out of date products as any found will prove very costly in assessing the store’s overall performance. "Out of date products are a major no-no and can make people ill. It is also an indicator that correct stock rotation procedures are not in place," he says.

Checklist

Store exterior

• Ensure the area or forecourt outside your store is clean and tidy and free of rubbish.
• Ensure that dustbins and ashtrays are provided and are clean.
• Ensure that there are mats at the entrance and that they are clean.
• Ensure that all windows and doors are clean and free from clutter.
• Ensure that the general condition of the building is in good condition and that the store sign/fascia is in pristine condition.
• Ensure forecourt pumps are clean.
• Ensure forecourt services such as air and vacuum are clean and working properly.
• Ensure customer toilets are clean and well presented.

 Store interior

• Ensure that trolleys/baskets are in place, clean and in good condition.
• Ensure the shop floor is clean and clear of unnecessary clutter.
• Ensure all shelving and refrigeration is clean and working properly.
• Ensure that the fruit and veg section looks clean, fresh and inviting.
• Ensure that "country of origin" signage is in place for all fruit and veg
• Ensure that your news section is properly merchandised and priced.
• Ensure that newspapers and magazines are in date.
• Ensure that National Lottery scratch card dispenser boxes are full and correctly merchandised. Ensure that the Euro Millions/Lotto poster is inserted on the terminal and play stand and that the Lotto terminal is in the optimum position and that the Lotto stand is clean and free from sellotape residue.
• Ensure that the general standard of merchandising throughout the store is to a high standard.
• Ensure that you have the correct in-store "legal" signage on display regarding alcohol, cigarette, Lotto sales etc.
• Ensure that pricing SELs are correct and in place.
• Ensure load lines for freezers are not exceeded.
• Ensure that all products on sale are in date.

Personnel

• Ensure staff are wearing full, clean uniform.
• Ensure staff are wearing name badges.
• Ensure that staff working in the food-to-go section have the correct clothing, gloves, hairnets etc.

And finally…

Make sure that everyone working in your store is friendly and polite to customers; without the customers you would have no business.

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