Evening Retail Management Tour

What does your business look like at 7 pm? Does it look the same as it does at 7 am? Chances are the answer is no. So ask yourself, why? There are many factors leading to your business not having the same crisp appearance. Factors include management alignment. Your team cannot execute your vision without you in the building. There possibly could have been an unexpected influx of customers. The main reason is your team does not know how to properly conduct an evening management tour.

An evening management tour is a detailed review of your business to ensure above standard conditions for the evening business. Take note of the timing of your evening management tour. You should not begin an evening management tour in the evening, but rather in the afternoon. You will not be ready for the customers if you are scrambling to put the store back together at 5 pm.

Now you understand what an evening management tour is, what do you review during your evening management tour? You want to focus on the four components of touring. These components consist of presentation of merchandise, price impression, cleanliness, and organization.

Let's transition to the specifics of the four components during your evening management tours. You can have a high level overview or a more detailed view of your business. During your evening management tour you will need to incorporate a combination of the two. During a high level overview tour you are looking for major opportunities which may become serious issues if not addressed. A detailed view is a focused review of your entire business in accordance to the four components.

So how do you perform an effective evening management tour and be aligned with the four components? You will need to take an area to review. Look at your apparel area. High fashion is seasonal, but basics such as socks, underwear, and t-shirts sell year round. So we will review basics in apparel as it relates to the four components during your evening management tour.

Presentation of Merchandise

If you were a customer, would the displays make you want to purchase the item? If not, then change the way you present the merchandise. During an evening management tour, notations should include in-stock position of merchandise and relevance of the merchandise featured. You don't want to have Halloween socks featured in early November.

Price Impression

Does your apparel basic scream value? If not, you need to take note of this opportunity during your evening management tour. Don't just take note; you need immediate attention to the discrepancy. If you are in a highly competitive trade area, are your prices similar to your competition? Do you like items at comparable prices?

Cleanliness

When looking at cleanliness during your evening management tour, detail is the key. You will not want to have a high level overview during this stage. In apparel basics, review shelf conditions during your evening management tour. Look for signs of dust, dirt, and grime. Ensure pricing labels are readable and clear. Make sure under the shelving is free of items which may have fallen to the ground.

Organization

Do you have merchandise readily available to replenish your shelves? Items which could easily represent 80% of your business in apparel should be accessible at a moment's notice. During your evening management tour, review your holding area or your stockroom to ensure above standard conditions.

Conducting an evening management tour allows your customer base to have the same offerings as the customers visiting your business in the morning. As well as your customers, you will give your overnight shift the opportunity to be successful.