6 tips for spring cleaning your shop
March 4, 2016
Spring cleaning your shop means sweeping out the old and bringing in the new
Spring cleaning isn’t just for your consignors. Consider spring cleaning your shop too and not necessarily with just a bucket and a mop. There are many ways you can revitalize your shop for the season.
1.) Clean out your old merchandise
When the air warms and the flowers bloom, no one wants to look at drab colors and heavy woolens. Now is the time to have that much-needed inventory reduction sale. Be sure to read “17 brilliant ideas for inventory reduction” for some practical ideas to move merchandise fast.
2.) Take a hard look at your current staff
Now that the holiday crunch is behind us, you can focus on staff clean up. Your shop may have grown to the point that you need to add full-time rather than only part-time employees. Are each of your employees dedicated to your vision? Are they excited to move forward with your business? Do they see themselves having a future with you? If not, some fresh faces may be just what your shop needs to add excitement, new ideas and energy.
3.) Brush up on your industry
Bob Negen from WhizBang Training suggests that spring cleaning your shop includes sweeping the cobwebs from your brain. Get some fresh ideas for your shop design, marketing and employee training by reading the latest books or attending workshops, seminars and classes. We recommend attending the annual National Association of Resale Professionals (NARTS) conference. This year, it will be held in Atlanta from June 24 through June 27. It’s a great way to learn about changes in the industry and make important connections with others.
4.) Wipe away outdated policies
Spring cleaning your shop also involves reviewing a variety of policies. When was the last time you looked at your original business plan? Reviewing and tweaking your business plan might give you a renewed excitement for the future of your shop. This is also a perfect time to update your procedures. For some ideas on your intake procedure, read Tweaking your Acceptance Policy. Take a closer look at your POS system too. Is it meeting your needs? Do you have an employee training manual? If not, consider creating one and also add a thorough disaster recovery plan too.
5.) Rearrange your shop
Spring is the perfect time to change the look, feel and smell of your shop from the inside out. Think outside of the box by making better use of your ceiling space. Rearrange rounders, shelving and racks to give a whole new feel to your environment. Consider painting at least one wall a new, bold color. Look at your shop the way your customers see it. Is the carpet old and frayed? Consider adding a fragrance using plug ins from Bath & Body Works. They have an endless array of scents like Fresh Linen or Pure White Cotton that can add a touch of Spring freshness to the air. Take a close look at your front door and windows too. Does your main display window shine? Is your entrance attractive? Does it catch the shopper’s eye from the street?
6.) Pick up the bucket and mop
Okay, so let’s face it, spring cleaning your shop does involve picking up a mop and filling up a bucket. Things just look and smell better with a good wipe down. If possible, wash your shop’s walls especially in your dressing rooms and bathrooms. Take a rag and remove any cobwebs and wipe off light fixtures. Check the door frames for fingerprints. Sweep in the corners and freshen up your cash wrap. Move clutter to your back office and make sure your entire staff knows the rules about keeping areas clean.
