Tag Archives: Covid supplies

  • 5 Ways Businesses Can Help Customers Be Reintroduced to the Shopping Experience

    by Bryan Kilpatrick

    Major U.S. economic hubs—such as California and New York—that have had businesses closed or severely impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, have gradually started to reopen. That means retail stores, barber shops, gyms, spas, and other establishments will be attracting the public for the first time in months. Such a long layoff from shopping and errand running—combined with new safety measures that range anywhere from suggestions to mandates—can lead to a confusing and somewhat intimidating environment. 
    Customers should be made to feel at ease, both in terms of safety as well as where to go and what to do as they’re reintroduced to the in-person shopping experience. Here are five easy ways to make it happen:

    Let people know you’re open

    Don’t be shy about telling the world that you’re back in business. There’s a wide array of outdoor flag and banner stands that can be used to attract new customers or show existing ones where to go for curbside pickup and other services. Feather banner stands—also known as flying banners or beach flags—are a sturdy, flexible, and eye-catching product that comes in multiple sizes and can be seen from a distance. Outdoor retractable banner stands that flex in the wind, as well as X-banner-style models that include plastic bases that can be filled with sand or water for stability, are a great option for walk-up businesses.
    Window and wall decals, A-frame signs, and grommeted banners get the job done as well. Regardless of how you choose to do it, remember to shout from the rooftops—or, at least, from the sidewalks—that you’re open and ready to serve the public.

    Communicate changes

    Once customers are inside a retail establishment, they'll need clear instruction on how to comply with new suggestions and regulations. It can be difficult enough for people to resume shopping and running errands in the midst of a pandemic; not knowing where to go or what exactly to do may only intensify that feeling of discomfort. Make the public feel safe, welcome, and at ease by posting clear messages at multiple points during their shopping process. Retractable banner stands, because of their ability to be relocated and have graphics easily switched out, are a perfect way to accomplish this.
    Retractable banner stands are available in many different sizes and price points. Regardless of your budget or how long (and how often) you intend to use the stand, you should be able to find the right fit.

    Remind people to socially distance

    It's going to be vitally important—in the short term, at the very least—for businesses that are reopening to direct traffic. Maintaining social distancing should be key in efforts to keep employees and customers healthy. The strategic placement of floor decals with either custom or pre-made artwork that displays social distancing reminders go a long way toward accomplishing that goal.
    Good floor graphics and floor decals are slip resistant, and UL listed as such, as well as scratch and scuff resistant so that heavy traffic doesn't ruin them. Floor graphics should also hold up to common floor cleaning chemicals and methods. The floor decal adhesives should hold the floor graphics firmly in place, but come off without leaving adhesive residue or damaging the floor when removed. You’ll want to use floor decal materials that meet these requirements and are specifically designed for floor use, whether it’s concrete, carpet, or anything in between.

    Implement sanitizing stations

    Touchless hand sanitizer dispensers should be readily available for use by employees and customers alike. Those dispensers can come in the form of simple wall-mounted units, or they can be placed anywhere by attaching them to a stand. One effective method is to set up a sanitation station. That type of display can be used not only to let shoppers and workers know where to find the sanitizer dispenser when they need it, but also to attract attention in an attempt to remind people to sanitize often.

    Provide masks and other protection

    As the need for face coverings becomes more prevalent, an entire industry of ineffective cloth masks has emerged. Even disposable surgical masks, which technically shouldn't be worn more than once, are much more effective in terms of fending off particles that could contain viruses. For the fashion conscious, wearing a disposable surgical mask underneath a cloth mask would go a long way toward at least ensuring others are protected, which is the sensible and courteous thing to do. These surgical masks are generally inexpensive, even to the point where businesses might find it advantageous to pass them out to customers as they walk in the door in a true effort to protect other shoppers and  workers.
    For people who also want to be protected themselves, KN95 masks are a great option because they filter out at least 95 percent of potential contaminates while still remaining breathable. Or, if you prefer to make your own masks (or have someone else make them), consider using an antimicrobial soft knit fabric that uses a special combination of silver and vesicle technologies to kill microbes such as viruses and bacteria so they can’t live on the surface or multiply. As individual state governors continue to announce face covering mandates, make sure you're prepared with masks that are functional rather than simply fashionable.
    Businesses that require significant face-to-face interaction would benefit from protective shields—or, as they’re commonly referred to, sneeze guards—which are sheets of clear acrylic usually held up by aluminum tubing or a similar type of frame, but can also come in table-top form with feet that hold the acrylic in place. These shields can be made into many different shapes and sizes, including those with cutouts at the bottom to allow for exchange of currency and merchandise. There are also more economical options, such as a banner stand equipped with clear polyester film, that present a portable solution that comes in larger heights than the acrylic versions and can be used in offices and classrooms, as well as at trade shows.
    For more information on these and other products needed to help get your business back on its feet, contact a Power Graphics representative today.
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