Want to be the #1 store in your district? Start with the basics.

It all begins with mastering the fundamentals—and that means maintaining a customer-ready store every single day.

A clean, organized, and inviting store creates the kind of experience that keeps customers coming back—and sets you apart from the competition. Whether you’re gearing up for Back to School or peak Holiday season, now is the time to evaluate your store, build strong habits, and lead your team with purpose.

Note: Mastering the fundamentals and maintaining a customer-ready store is ONE aspect of the road to #1. There are additional blogs available on my website to help YOU run a great store!

1. Walk Your Store Like A Customer

Do a full walkthrough—front to back, top to bottom. Identify everything that needs attention. This becomes your roadmap to readiness.

2. Fix the Physical Store Environment

Burned-out bulbs, dusty vents, crooked signage—handle what’s within your control and escalate the rest. Details matter.

• Replace burned-out bulbs within reach.
• Clean vents, windows, and shelves thoroughly.
• Ensure windows are spotless and free of fingerprints.
• Properly aim spotlights to highlight products and displays effectively.

3. Deep Clean and Declutter

Tackle hidden areas. Reorganize the cash wrap. Replace damaged signage. Treat your space like it’s brand new. Go beyond surface cleaning and tackle the details:

• Clean shelves and fixtures from top to bottom.
• Replace any broken or outdated signage.
• Empty the entire cash wrap and reorganize it. Discard anything unnecessary, such as old flyers, torn bags, or outdated materials. Treat it as though you were setting up a brand-new store.

4. Elevate Fitting Rooms and Clearance

Pay special attention to overlooked spaces:

• In fitting rooms, sit down, close the door, and view the area from a customer’s perspective. Clean and edge every surface.
• In clearance areas, ensure markdowns are accurate, size rings are present, and items are well-organized to create a seamless shopping experience. Make it easy for customers to shop without needing assistance.

5. Optimize The Back Room

Don’t neglect the back room. While it’s not customer-facing, its organization impacts the efficiency of your team. Keep it clean, organized, and functional.

The list below are common areas in the backroom that should be addressed and have a strategy to maintain at all times. I like the idea of assigning the back of house area to one of the managers or sales leaders so they can own it.

• Bulletin Boards – remove all outdated information. Neatly post all current materials using push pins on all corners or adhesive.
• Marketing/Props/Non Merch Area – organize marketing, signage, supplies, etc. with like items together. Damaged items should be discarded and reordered, if applicable.
• Merch Area – Check the sales floor for inventory from the backroom that might fit out. Ensure all backroom merch is marked at current price.
• Damages/Returns – process all damages/returns.
• Restrooms (if applicable) – clean and restock.
• Supplies – review supply inventory and create list of items that need to be ordered.
• Manager Desk/office – Organize/file manager desk area ensuring everything is carefully put away.

6. Create a Daily Maintenance Plan

Cleaning and organizing your store is just the beginning. The true challenge is maintaining it. Work with your team to develop a strategy for keeping the store in tip-top shape every day. Here’s how:

• Leverage downtime: Use slower periods to tidy up.
• Set expectations: Clearly communicate standards and responsibilities to your team.
• Accountability: Hold team members accountable for maintaining the store’s condition by conducting daily walkthroughs and creating a list of actionable items. It is important to ensure tasks are completed during slower customer traffic periods, and leave notes for the next day’s manager about any remaining items to address.
• Recognition: Recognize the members of the team for a job well done!

Step 7: Embrace the Fundamentals

Maintaining a customer-ready store isn’t just about appearances; it’s about creating an exceptional shopping experience that keeps customers coming back. From the front door to the back room, ensure every detail is customer-focused and polished. When you master the fundamentals, you set the foundation for strong sales, a motivated team, and a store that’s always ready for anything—even a surprise district manager visit.

Final Thoughts

?Pro tip: This is just ONE piece of what it takes to run a great store. Explore more tips, tools, and insights on my website through additional blog posts designed to help you lead with confidence and run your store like a pro.

Are you ready to show off your hard work? Take pride in your store, and watch as your efforts transform your business. When you consistently uphold these standards, being number one in sales will follow naturally.