As we come out of lockdown

With several state and territory governments starting to ease movement restrictions, people are talking more about life after lockdown, business owners are talking about this. If you have not done so already, I urge you to consider what your retail business looks like after lockdown or as lockdown provisions are eased.

While only you can know what is right for your own business, I offer this list of suggestions for your consideration:

1. Change everything. This is the best opportunity to make major change. Move whole departments, change prices, change the counter focus, the counter process. Right now is a perfect opportunity for sweeping change in any business.
2. Look at your pricing. Is it appropriate? Could adjustments be beneficial?
3. Look at every supplier. Ask yourself, do they bring value (and joy) to the business.
4. Make the shopping experience fresh, more appealing. Help your shoppers feel that they are in a new business.
5. Quit hard and quick. Dump bins at the front of products you are exiting. This is the perfect time to make the move.
6. Reconsider every business process. Is it beneficial to the business? If not, why continue with it? Be frugal with your time and capital investments.
7. Share appreciation. From your front window to inside the shop, demonstrate shopper appreciation.
8. Play uplifting music. Celebrate any step away from lockdown.
9. Celebrate stories. Encourage people to share positive lockdown stories, somehow in-store on online through social media.
10. The past is the past. It is tiresome hearing about how tough things have been, how troubling the times are, how difficult things are. People are living this. We are living this. Reminding people does not help in our view.

Now really is the opportunity for significant change in any business. Opportunities like this are rare. I urge all retailers to seize the opportunity.

I originally shared this with customers of my POS software company, Tower Systems, the list is as relevant here. I think being open all through matters not. The easing of restrictions itself will change the traffic you see and provide an opportunity to work through some or all of the list of suggestions.