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Retail Opening & Closing Checklist: Store Procedures

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Revel Blog | Julie Holkeboer | February 24, 2023 | 10 minutes read

Advice

In the retail business, smooth-running store operations start long before a customer
walks through the door. Clean floors, cool air, fully stocked shelves, and well-
arranged aisles are a product of careful planning and efficient systems. One such
system is the implementation of retail opening checklist and retail closing checklist to
ensure nothing falls through the cracks in the daily, weekly, and monthly store
operations. 

A good store manager understands that closing and opening a store are key parts of
the day, and ensures a retail opening and closing checklist is followed strictly to
maintain high standards and promote staff safety.

Though businesses are different, and you may have adjusted procedures as a result
of the 2020 pandemic, here is a basic checklist of retail and warehouse opening and
closing procedures you can apply to ensure streamlined operations throughout the
day. 

7 Items to Consider for a Retail Opening Checklist

Getting ready for business can be hectic if you are all over the place trying to do
everything at the same time. Ensure your day starts on the right foot with a retail
opening checklist that covers all the bases. 

1. Preparation
A good practice for store managers is to arrive at the retail business at least thirty
minutes before opening time. But before you leave the house, make sure you have
your keys and anything else you will need for the day. Forgetting something
important and having to rush back home would be a time-wasting mistake.

Opening and closing times are considered high-risk periods for robberies. Because
of this, it is advised that no fewer than two people be present for the store opening
process. Making sure everyone is on time is key for smooth (and safe) store
management. 
 2. Building Inspection
Before you open the store, walk around the building and outside of the store
premises. Inspect windows, doors, air vents and other entry points for signs of
damage or uninvited visitors. If there is any tampering inside or outside the store, call
the police and do not enter.

As you inspect the building, your colleague should carefully observe the
surroundings for any suspicious behavior, like loitering nearby or unfamiliar cars. Do
not proceed if you notice anything unusual. 

3. Entry
Once you are sure that it is safe to go inside, open the store door and relock it after
entry. Disable the alarm. If your security system requires a panic or distress code,
make sure all members who open the store are familiar with it. 

Store doors should never be left unlocked before the store opens. Include in your
retail opening checklist that employees should be let in one at a time and the door
locked after each entry. 

If your store’s security system includes security cameras, ensure the tapes are
changed and the unit is recording. 

4. General Inspection
After turning on the lights, it’s time to get down to business. Walk the floor to do a
store evaluation:

 Are there any wet spots on the floor, walls, or ceilings? This could be a sign of a
faulty HVAC system, a leaky roof, or plumbing issues. 
 Any traces of vermin or pests? It may be time to call the exterminator. 
 Inspect the housekeeping. Go over areas where necessary, making note of any
feedback to give the staff or cleaning service.
 Check your retail store supplies and ensure that all shelves are stocked and tags are
well arranged.
 Make sure the in-store signage is up to date. Take down any signs for promotions
that may have ended the previous day.

5. Turn on Electronic Systems

Once you’ve ensured everything is where it should be and nothing is wrong, it’s time
to turn on your retail software solutions, like electronic systems.

Turn on and check your retail point of sale system to make sure all terminals are
ready to go. If your business accepts cash payments, remove the cash register tills
from the safe. If your registers do not have sufficient funds, count the money you will
need away from the sight of the front door.

Start all other retail management systems and electronics, such as televisions and
sound systems. Ensure your screens are showing the correct promotions with
accurate and current details. 
 6. Prepare the Storefront
Whether your store is in a mall or a stand-alone building, it is your responsibility to
make sure your store-front is appealing. Clear out any litter or debris and place any
outdoor signs and banners you wish to display. If you have one, look at your display
window from the outside to make sure your display is appealing and nothing is out of
place. 

7. Hold a Staff Meeting

After creating your daily retail opening checklist and lunch and break schedules, call
a short meeting to review retail operations and expectations with all the staff on the
shift. Assign the duties and make sure everyone understands what they have to
complete within the day. You should also go over any important information, such as
daily targets and notices for the upcoming period. 

As always, make sure your staff is educated on the current best practices around
health and safety standards. Meeting these standards for your staff and customers is
critical to remaining open for business.

You’re all set for the day!

6 Items to Consider for a Retail Closing Checklist

The retail closing checklist is important as well, because it determines how the next
day will begin. To make sure you don’t overlook any details or unintentionally create
more work for the next morning, here’s a retail closing checklist to follow. 

1. Retail Store Management Prerequisites

Just as with opening the store, some things need to be done before closing time.
Wait for all customers to leave the retail business before turning off any screens or
lights. Similarly, make sure all customers have checked out and exited before closing
the last POS terminal.

As with opening store management procedures, store closing procedures should be

done in pairs or more. You should be even keener on security in the evening, as
robbers know there is more likely to be more money on the premises in the evening. 

2. Clearing the Retail Business

Do not rush your customers out of the store. However, it is appropriate to make an
announcement 15 minutes before closing time. This enables your guests to wrap up
their browsing and head to the registers.

Always confirm that everyone has left the store by inspecting all areas including
restrooms, stockrooms, and closets. When this is confirmed, bring in all the banners,
signs, and shopping carts that have been placed on the sidewalk or outside the
store.

Lock all doors, including the main entrance and exit doors. A supervisor should stand
by the door to let customers and employees out, relocking the door after each exit.
Customers and employees who are leaving should be observed to ensure they have
not carried out any unpaid merchandise. 
 3. Restock and Recovery 
Mark all non-defective returned merchandise as “in stock” in your POS retail
management system. Staff should start reorganizing items on the shelves while
waiting for customers to leave to expedite the closing process for your retail
operations. 

4. Housekeeping 
When closing a retail store, procedures on cleaning are determined by whether your
establishment utilizes an overnight cleaning and restocking service or if you perform
those tasks in-house. In addition to clearing the aisles of any merchandise, carts or
litter, dusting and mopping the floors is usually done at closing time.

If you use a cleaning crew, preparing a cleaning retail closing checklist can help
make sure nothing is left undone. However, it is still best to do some light
housekeeping to make everyone’s life easier and to instill some sense of
responsibility.

Empty all trash, but do not place the bags in the dumpster until the next morning.
This will deter any theft of product through the trash for later removal.  

5. Closing POS Terminals and Other  Retail Software Solutions

The steps of the closing down process will vary significantly based on the size and
type of retail business you are running. Here's an example of what a general step-by-
step process should look like:

 Set a specific time for counting cash and closing all safes and cash drawers. Cash
should be counted away from checkout counters, customers lingering in the store,
and as always, out of the line of sight to the front door. 
 The countdown of money should be witnessed and formally acknowledged by a
manager.
 Turn off your POS terminals. 
 Settle all payment devices and card readers.
 Place cash tills in the safe (if applicable for your business) and leave the empty cash
boxes open as best practice to avoid damage if a break-in takes place. 

Any retail store should have its own clear and systematic standard operating
procedure as well as a cashier cleaning retail closing checklist for reconciling sales
at the end of the day. 

6. Final Walkthrough for Store Management 

After shutting down any computers, working displays, overhead music, and seasonal
items, walk the floor one final time before shutting off the lights.

Make sure everything is where it should be, and check that the windows and doors
are properly closed and locked. Activate the alarm system and know the duress code
before exiting the store through the front door. All closing personnel should leave
together. 

Close the doors and double check that they are securely locked before leaving. 
 Revel Systems is the Right POS for Your Retail Business 
Running a retail business involves many different responsibilities. From leading staff
to tracking sales and accounting duties, a store manager must make sure retail
operations run smoothly. 

That’s why having standard procedures such as this retail opening and closing
checklist is important to running a successful business.

Revel Systems understands the need for optimization of business processes. That’s
why we’ve created a cloud POS system that greatly simplifies day to day tasks while
helping to reduce costs. 

Schedule a free demo to learn more about our services and how they can help
your retail business thrive.

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