Aside from the obvious way to repel customers, (crappy customer service), there are many environmental ways to disgust them. Not everybody has the same level of cleanliness standards, what offends one person may not offend another, however keeping your store presentable is not a difficult task. It’s been proven that environmental conditions affect people’s moods, so why wouldn’t you take advantage of this and clean, clean, clean?
I urge you to walk your store the next day you work, use a judging eye and see if any of these apply to you.

• SPLASHED ON THE RIM

Nobody likes a dirty bathroom, especially somebody you’re trying to leave a positive impression on. No matter what it takes you’re restroom should be clean enough to walk barefoot in without worrying about catching the plague. I’ve seen everything from dirt on the sink to urine on the mirror… yup. So get out your windex and toilet bowl cleaner, it’s time to add to your job description.

• BOOM, BOOM, BOOM

Having music on for ambience is a great idea, but done wrong it can have a very negative effect. If it’s too loud or offensive you can not only turn off the customer but make it difficult for you to focus on your job. Best Buy stores are notorious for this, many locations do not pay enough attention to the fact that every department has something different going on and they bleed in on each other. I’ve heard it a million times, “I like best buy but I HATE going in there,” case and point.

• UGLY SIGNAGE

Not every store can control this, many companies have stepped back on new signage and remodels for stores due to the economy. Money is an issue and you may have to work with what you’ve got, but a white piece of posterboard with “SALE” handwritten in black magic marker… is unacceptable. I understand if you’re company maybe can’t provide you with a sign, but at least pop up a word processor and print one off.

• THE STINKY

Offensive odors are a big one for me, especially if an associate drops a duke in an aisle and runs off – only to have me be the next customer to go there. Some odors are expected, like fertilizer in a home store, or pollen in a flower shop. Check into ionizers if you’re store has lingering nastiness, and dust regularly to keep the musty smell away.

• DORM ROOM DISORDER

Aisles with product all over the floor, checkouts with new price change labels all over the place. The customers are here to spend money, not to witness your inability to organize. Either get the job done, or store what’s left of your task out of customer view. Let the warehouses look like warehouses – your store needs to look like a store.

• EMPLOYEES

Look professional! I simply can’t believe how some employees show up to work looking like a dirty diaper, not showered, with a uniform that’s been worn 4 days in a row, and a hair style that looks like somebody put glue in. Nobody wants to speak to this type of employee… even if they do, it’s likely they will say nothing and simply never return. As hard as it is, and as embarrassing for the employee it may be, the manager should send you home with a roll of T.P. if you show up looking like a turd.