In today’s world, it is more important than ever to provide a safe environment for your customers and employees. Especially with the rise in crime rates and incidents happening everywhere, people want to feel safe when they’re shopping or working.
Although it’s impossible to evade any accidents or incidents coming your way, there are ways for you to minimize risks and keep your customers happy. For instance, you could ensure that you always have fresh air circulating throughout the building through a well-maintained HVAC system.
Or you could remind employees to lock up everything when they leave the store no matter how long they plan on being away. This is a precautionary step in protecting your customers from shoplifting and other crimes that may occur on your premises.
It’s impossible to be in control of what happens in your establishment because there are a lot of factors that come into play. However, certain things are well in your control, which means that you can do something about them.
For instance, if your employees are well-trained and knowledgeable enough to spot suspicious actions such as shoplifting, then they will know how to handle the situation appropriately. And knowing what to do is half the battle won, so to speak.
Here are five other ways you can create a safe environment for your customers and employees:
1. Keep the store clean and free of pests
You should keep your store clean and free of pests. Don’t let old boxes, wrappers, or anything unsanitary into the shop. This can create an environment where bacteria can grow and spread to customers who are shopping in your store. If you find any insects within the place, call pest control immediately.
Or you could take another approach and use eco-friendly solutions, such as highly efficient mosquito control traps to avoid the spread of mosquito-borne viruses. This way, you do not have to expose your employees or customers to harsh chemicals.
2. Make sure that there is enough light in your store
Adequate lighting is vital for your store because it can assure customers that they are safe in any area of your shop. Proper lighting means you will need a bright light at the front, making sure to clear away areas where darkness can breed crime.
Moreover, ample lighting can deter crime from the outside through your window displays because it signifies that you are open for business and creates a safe environment. So, if someone tries to break in, they will be easily seen and stopped because the store is well-lit.
3. Put up a sign with emergency phone numbers
You should put up a sign with emergency numbers of the authorities and other organizations like poison control and any hospital within your area. This way, if anything happens, customers and employees can contact someone immediately.
Plus, it’s also a good habit to provide actual physical contact information of the store owner or manager, just in case an issue occurs that might require them. Doing so can improve trust and allow you to help your employees or customers if something happens.
4. Be aware of what’s going on around you at all times
You should always be mindful of your surroundings, including the store layout and everything that’s going on. You don’t want to be caught off guard by an aggressive customer or someone who wants to break in. So, practice situational awareness at all times, especially when you’re alone in your shop.
It could also be wise to install a security system within your shop to ensure that you are safe at all times. This way, if an incident happens, you can be immediately connected to security or police so that they can help you out.
5. Create a safe environment for people of all ages
You should create a safe environment for people of all ages. This means that you need to make sure that there are no hazardous objects within your store, such as sharp corners where customers can get hurt. It could also be wise not to use any cleaning agents with harsh chemicals as those can be harmful to kids and pregnant women.
Prioritizing the safety of the environment for all your customers—regardless of whether they’re loyal customers or simply looking around—can make you more trustworthy. Doing so can also build up more trust between you and your employees, making them feel safe when they’re on the job.
Keeping your store safe for everyone is important to keep them coming back while ensuring that they are comfortable in your shop at all times. Not only will it benefit your customers and employees, but you can also enjoy a more improved reputation with your brand. This way, you’ll be able to gain more sales and improve your profits in the long run.
