Tools to Successfully Navigate COVID-19

How to Continue Making Safety a Priority in Your Store

 

June 2020

 

The last few months have been a challenge to say the least for people all around the world, the c-store industry included. Retailers across the country have had to adapt rapidly to our new reality. As states begin to open back up, it is important to remember that safety still needs to be a priority. Just because things are starting to open back up does not mean that the virus has gone away.

 

StrasGlobal, a retail management solutions company, put together a task force of team members to determine the best course of action to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their “COVID-19 Response Plan” is helping to guide retailers during these uncertain times. Below are some tools from that plan that will ensure you’re continuing to properly handle the crisis.

 

Constant Cleaning

Constantly cleaning throughout the day is important for more than just safety reasons. It shows your customers that you make their health and safety a priority. By clearly displaying you are taking the pandemic seriously will go a long way with your customers. Here are some additional things you can do to ensure this message is getting across:

 

• Sanitize surfaces multiple times a day

• Use social distancing practices with employees

• Provide wipes or gloves at pumps

• Use plexiglass sneeze guards for each point-of-sale

• Limit the number of people in your store at any time

• Use social distancing stickers on the floor

• No self-service foodservice or reusable cups (keep fountain and coffee cups behind the counter)

 

Clear Communication

Communication is key during this crisis. Make sure you’re communicating effectively with your employees and customers. Owners or those in leadership roles should put out frequent emails to their team three to four times a week and short videos with updates on new developments, action items and recognition of the teams efforts. Doing any of the following is also recommended:

 

• Survey your employees and customers about what will make them feel safer in your store and what they

  specifically need.

• Use simple and clear signs, buttons and badges to remind people about social distancing and hand washing;

  to limit the number of customers in the store; for restroom cleaning; to announce services like curbside

  delivery, home delivery and senior programs; and for “now in stock” information.

 

Sales & Customer Interaction

Remember to make sure your customers know that you are there for them! Absolutely DO NOT price gouge or over price. This will turn your customers away and make them not want to come back. Make sure you are rationing essential items. Use signs to limit the amount of an essential item that a customer can purchase. This will help prevent out-of-stocks and hoarding of products.

 

Community Outreach and Partnerships

Now more than ever, your community needs to be reminded that we’re all in this together. There are many ways in which you can show your community that you are there for them. For example, offer free fountain drinks and coffee for first responders and medical personnel either in uniform or with ID. You can also provide discounts or special considerations for seniors or those who are most at risk of contracting COVID-19.

 

Partnering with local restaurant to resell prepared foods and hire staff that has been laid or furloughed will also help show you care for the community. You can also work with entities in a similar way.

 

Food Safety Plans to Take Into the Future

Steps to Take to Ensure Your Food Safety Protocols are Up to Par

 

June 2020

 

In the last couple of months, c-stores have had to adapt to the ever-changing climate of the COVID-19 pandemic. C-stores have taken extraordinary measures to ensure the safety of their customers and employees. Some of these measures include eliminating self-serve, installing plexiglass barriers, and putting extensive cleaning and sanitizing procedures in place. However, customers want to know that the food they are getting from their c-store is safe to ring home to their families.

 

C-store retailers need to have a solid plan in place to enhance food safety and customer experience today and once the COVID-19 crisis is over. Many retailers have adapted short-term plans when the crisis first started but now need to make sure that there are long-term plans implemented for the future.

 

Customers now more than ever need to be ensured that food safety is a priority and focus in your store. According to C-Store News article “Enhancing Food Safety During & After the COVID-19 Crisis” there are three main challenges that retailers face:

 

• Serving safe food, which involves traceability and recall management

 

• Creating and protecting brand affinity by creating a consistent experience across platforms and offering

  tamper-proof packaging and branding even when working with third-party delivery

 

• Focusing on customer experience which can include making it easy to check inventory availability and

  providing frictionless checkout

 

The article suggests that retailers keep a close eye on how many orders are coming in through third party vs. their own ordering app or bringing in tamper-evident packaging that incorporates a branding element like a QR Code which can direct customers to the retailer’s own loyalty app.

 

The following steps are also essential for retailers and their employees to take to ensure food safety is a priority.

 

Hand Washing

Hand washing has always been essential in food safety. It is one of the most effective steps to stop the spread of COVID-19 so employees need to trained on proper hand washing techniques and protocols. In states where gloves are required when handling food, making sure that your employees know how important it is to wash their hands before putting gloves on and after removing them is essential. During the current pandemic, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also advices washing hands after touching an item or surface in a public place that is frequently touched by other people as well as before touching one’s eyes, nose or mouth.

 

Frequent Cleaning

Cleaning and sanitation of c-stores need to be done frequently now and after the crisis. Employees should be sanitizing multiple times a day. They need to ensure that everything is going to be clean, all the time.

 

Protective Equipment

Providing your employees with personal protective equipment will not only make them feel safe but also make your customers feel safe. The CDC recommends American’s to wear non-medical cloth face covering while out in public to help prevent the spread of the virus by asymptomatic carriers. Ensure your employees are wearing gloves, face masks or even shields at the register. Check the laws or guidance’s sent by your local government to ensure you’re following the essential guidelines.