Filthy Restrooms
Truly deserves the top spot in this list. Nobody wants to use a restroom that reeks of piss and a sink or toilet that looks like it hasnt been cleaned for over a year. Retail stores should always be sparkling clean, whether they are open for public use or not. Stock up on the bathroom essentials like tissue rolls, soap, trash receptacles and clean it daily.
2. Untidy Dressing Rooms
Always keep the dressing rooms free of discarded hangers, tags and empty packaging. Not only will it look pleasant for your customers, it will also save you from dishonest customers. Take a quick look for out of place items after each customer uses the dressing room.
3. Loud Music
Playing music in a retail store can help create a certain atmosphere for our shoppers. Music that is too loud, inappropriate or of poor quality can disturb your customers from their shopping experience.
4. Handwritten Signs
In this era of technology, there is no excuse for displaying handwritten signage. Printing signs from computers or using pre-printed signs are not much of a difficult task. Printed signs simply look more professional and signs with hard-to-read handwriting can be a customer turn-off.
5. Stained Floor or Ceiling Tiles
It is true, accidents happen. However, your customers don’t have to see them. Dirty carpet, stained flooring and ugly ceiling tiles can turn off many shoppers. Sweeping, vacuuming and mopping should be done on a regular basis. Consider hiring a professional cleaning crew to polish tile floors. Replace stained portions of carpet and ceiling tiles where possible.
6. Burned-out or Poor Lighting
Replace any burned out light bulbs as soon as possible. Make sure all customer areas of the store have ample lighting and take into consideration shoppers with aging or less than perfect eyesight. Your store should be well illuminated for all customers.
7. Offensive Odors
Certain odors are understandable and may even appeal to the customer’s sense of smell. However, shoppers don’t want to smell an employee’s lunch drifting across the store. Use neutralizers to combat any offensive odors.
8. Crowded Aisles
Consumers like a selection but not if it means sacrificing comfort while shopping. Be sure your store is designed to allow adequate space between aisles and keep walkways free of merchandise. Cramped spaces can ruin a shopping experience and turn off a customer.
9. Cluttered Checkout Counters
A stack of hangers, returned merchandise and sloppy work areas behind the checkout is a huge customer turn-off. This particular area where a customer’s financial transaction is taking place should not show any signs of disorganization. Like messy dressing rooms, a disorganized checkout counter can lead to theft. Keep those register areas neat and tidy.
10. Scarcity of Shopping Carts/Baskets
Your type of retail shop may not require a shopping cart or your store may be too small, but there’s not a single type of retailer that wouldn’t need at least some sort of shopping basket. If you hope for your customer to purchase more than one item in your store, be sure to have an adequate supply of shopping carts or baskets on hand.