Retail spaces always require cleaning, especially considering that customers can sometimes decide whether to use your services based on your general upkeep. So what are the best ways to clean a high traffic retail space?
In this blog, we will discuss the best cleaning routines for high traffic retail spaces.
Sentrex Services stands as a leading provider of comprehensive cleaning and hygiene solutions, serving a vast region from the Northwest to the Southeast of England. With a dedicated team of over 600 professionals, we deliver bespoke cleaning services tailored to the unique needs of each commercial client.
What is a high traffic retail space?
In retail spaces, any area that is ‘high traffic’ generally refers to a space that sees a lot of customers & staff alike walking through, or browsing in.
A high traffic retail space are generally areas where popular or high-value merchandise may be, but it also may be spaces used by all, such as entrances/exits. These areas must maintain a level of cleanliness, without it, it can result in:
- Customers with negative experiences due to uncleanliness are highly likely to share their dissatisfaction with friends, family, and on social media (photos/videos). This can quickly damage your brand’s reputation and deter new customers.
- a higher chance for slips and hazards if high traffic retail spaces are not cleaned, especially if there is clutter, this can result in customers and staff hurting themselves.
- Any space that is prone to dirt accumulation, especially high traffic spaces, can accumulate unpleasant odours if left uncleaned, this can prevent potential customers from spending time in the store.
Do mystery shoppers assess cleanliness in high traffic retail spaces?
Mystery shoppers are customers who assess the services and state of a store whilst posing as a regular customer. By doing this, a store is assessed in an unbiased manner on their general service.
Mystery shoppers make note and report on their whole experience at a story, from how it looks and feels, to the knowledge, service, and professionalism of staff, and how safe the store is.
Because cleanliness is directly associated with health and safety, any serious uncleanliness that is a clear health risk, would be noted by a mystery shopper.
What are the best cleaning routines for a high traffic retail space?
The use of professional cleaning services like Sentrex is generally the best method to use for deeper or seasonal cleans, or sometimes weekly cleans, depending on your space. Regardless, general cleaning and upkeep must be done, here are some helpful tips:
Schedule a deeper clean before opening time, or after closing times
Although retail spaces, especially those with high traffic must look clean, which can be addressed during operational hours by facing up, addressing spills etc, a deeper clean is required to actually make the space clean.
Conducting a deeper clean requires specialist equipment and cleaning products, the use of which can be a health and safety issue when customers are in the space. A thorough, deep clean should be conducted outside operational hours to prevent any hazards for customers.
Focus on high-touch surfaces
When conducting a general daily or weekly clean, door handles, light switches, payment terminals, handrails, and product testers should be disinfected.
These areas are touched by multiple people on a daily basis. This can potentially affect staff and customers alike, picking up bacteria through these surfaces.
Keep entrance mats clean:
Invest in high-quality, large entrance mats to trap dirt and moisture at the door, significantly reducing what gets tracked into the store. You should ensure they are cleaned daily, if not multiple times a day, depending on foot traffic.
If left unattended, this can result in more dirt being tracked into the retail space.
Staff training:
Train all staff on basic cleaning protocols, especially for spills, tidying, and maintaining high-touch points. Encourage a “clean as you go” mentality. This helps lighten the burden for deeper cleans conducted with external cleaning services.
With external services, implementing clear cleaning schedules and checklists for each shift/day/week/month sets your space in good stead for being consistently clean.
Waste management:
Have clearly labelled bins for general waste and recycling, and empty them regularly to prevent overflow and odours.
Professional cleaning services:
For deep cleaning tasks (e.g., carpet extraction, floor stripping/waxing, window washing at height), consider hiring professional commercial cleaning companies.
For example, Sentrex combines their trained staff with the top tier cleaning equipment, products, and adaptability to provide bespoke cleaning services for retail spaces commercial spaces, and much more.
How does poor cleanliness in stores affects customers
Bad cleanliness profoundly affects customer experience in retail spaces because it sends immediate, often subconscious, negative signals that undermine trust, comfort, and the perceived quality of the entire brand. Here’s how:
- Visual cues: A dirty entrance, smudged windows, dusty shelves, stained floors, or overflowing bins are the first things a customer sees. These visual cues instantly create a negative impression before they even engage with a product or staff.
- Psychological impact: A clean, organized space communicates professionalism, care, and attention to detail. Conversely, a dirty store suggests carelessness, disorganisation, and a lack of pride.
- Unpleasant atmosphere: Dirty environments can trigger feelings of discomfort, anxiety, or even disgust. Unpleasant odours (from overflowing bins, dirty restrooms, or stagnant air) are major turn-offs.
- Distraction: Customers are less likely to relax, browse, and spend time in a space where they are constantly distracted by dirt, clutter, or bad smells. They’ll want to leave quickly, reducing their likelihood of making a purchase.
- Hygiene concerns: Especially in a post-pandemic world, customers are highly aware of hygiene. Dirty high-touch surfaces raise immediate concerns about germ transmission and personal safety.
- Trust in management: A dirty store implies that management doesn’t prioritise customer well-being or basic operational standards. This erodes trust in the business as a whole.
- Perceived risks: Customers may perceive a dirty store as having a higher risk of slips, trips, or falls due to unaddressed spills or clutter, even if no actual incident occurs.
- Reduced return visits: Customers are less likely to return to a store they perceive as unclean. Poor restroom cleanliness, in particular, is a major reason customers avoid repeat visits.
Where to find professional cleaning services for retail spaces
Sentrex Services stands as a leading provider of comprehensive cleaning and hygiene solutions, serving a vast region from the Northwest to the Southeast of England. With a dedicated team of over 600 professionals, we deliver bespoke cleaning services tailored to the unique needs of each commercial client.
At Sentrex, we prioritise commercial, industrial, and specialist cleaning services. Our services aren’t just a standard once-over, we ensure a comprehensive and individually tailored approach perfect for any site.
Here is a list of the cleaning services we provide:
- Chemical degreasing
- Steam cleaning
- Pressure washing
- Power-scrubbing
- Auto-scrubbing
- Stain and spill removal
- Debris and dust removal
- Power-scraping
- Sanding, and shot-blasting
- Vacuuming
- High-speed burnishing
- Spray buffing, waxing, and stripping
- Low moisture bonnet cleaning
- Deep extraction
- Commercial carpet cleaning
- Trash clean up
- Window cleaning
- Exterior cleaning
- Cleaning of washrooms
- Deep cleaning
In this blog, we’ve hoped to have helped you understand the best cleaning routines for high traffic retail spaces. Whilst also providing supplementary information about the benefits of our professional services.
Our commitment to fair pricing, environmental sustainability, and personalised service sets us apart. We prioritise quality through rigorous control measures, including monthly audits with advanced software, real-time management via iPads, and an automated time and attendance system.
As members of esteemed trade bodies, we adhere to the highest industry standards. Beyond core cleaning, we offer a full suite of soft and hard FM services, ensuring comprehensive building maintenance. Want to know if our services apply to your business or site? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to secure a superior clean.
