✔️ Temporary Store Closing Checklist

COVID-19 is causing many retail stores to temporarily close their doors to the public. With the situation changing so quickly, it can be easy to overlook important details while you rush to respond. To help you make the closing process safe and orderly, here is a sample Temporary Store Closing Checklist to go through the day of closing.

Facilities: Sales Floor

1. Dust and sanitize displays and surfaces.
2. Clear and secure merchandise if necessary.
3. Unplug and power down electronics.
4. Dust and clean area around window displays.
5. Store specialty merchandising displays.
6. Ensure windows remain lit for security.
7. Clean light fixtures and bulbs.
8. Sanitize doors and knobs.
9. Sweep and sanitize floors.
10. Clean bathrooms including all surfaces (counters, sinks, toilets, floors, handles and doors).
11. Restock bathroom supplies to be ready for reopening.

Facilities: Back Rooms

1. Ensure emergency exits are clear.
2. Secure delivery/dock doors.
3. Put aways tools.
4. Handle hazardous chemicals according to protocols.
5. Organize and tidy stock room.
6. Put away all deliveries.
7. Sweep and sanitize floors.
8. Clean and sanitize employee bathrooms including all surfaces (counters, sinks, toilets, floors, handles and doors).
9. Restock bathroom supplies to be ready for reopening.
10. Clean out air vents and replace filters as necessary.
11. Turn off HVAC.
12. Clean out and sanitize refrigerators and freezers.
13. Collect and remove trash.

Office

1. Ensure all sensitive information in back office is secured (employee and customer files, receipts, orders, financials, etc.)
2. Update voicemail.
3. Review and suspend unnecessary services like garbage pickup, window washing, landscaping, etc.
4. Ensure mail is redirected.
5. Review and redirect bills such as water, electricity, gas, etc.
6. Save files and power down computers, printers, and other equipment.
7. Sanitize desks, chairs, equipment, phones, etc.
8. Empty trash.
9. Unplug unnecessary equipment.

Inventory

1. Count and record inventory on the floor.
2. Count inventory in backroom/storage.
3. Dispose of any perishables that will expire over the shutdown period. Record losses.
4. Ensure deliveries are suspended.
5. Update relevant departments with new delivery schedule.

Security/safety

1. Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as well as sprinkler system are working.
2. Check surveillance cameras and ensure they are working.
3. Collect keys from employees who do not need to enter the store while closed.
4. Place keys in safe until re-opening.
5. Check alarm systems are working.
6. Update alarm codes if necessary.

POS

1. Shut down POS systems.
2. Settle all credit card machines and verify card transactions.
3. Cash out registers.
4. Count cash and place in safe.
5. Reconcile safe.
6. Do final bank deposit.
7. Sanitize POS counters, drawers, etc.
8. Remove trash.

Employees

1. Set up a secure a communication channel to keep employees informed and updated about re-opening.
2. Ensure employee contact information is up to date.
3. Set up communication and reporting expectations if store is to be checked on while closed.

Final Walk Through

1. Do final walk through of back rooms, washrooms, and sales floor.
2. Unplug any space heaters and fans.
3. Ensure all customers/employees have left the store before locking the doors.
4. Turn off office and backroom lights.
5. Set alarms.
6. Communicate with head office that store is closed and secure.

When you are ready to reopen, use our Store Reopening Checklist to get your stores set up and ready to welcome your customers back.

OTHER LOSS PREVENTION RESOURCES

Refer to the Loss Prevention category for checklists, how-tos and best practices for loss prevention.

More CHECKLISTS

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1. Register for a free trial of Bindy and get access to a library of professionally vetted public forms you can use to audit your locations in seconds.
2. Refer to our checklists category of more than 33 checklists to manage every aspect of your operations.

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