Updated January 20, 2025
What to do when your retail employees are standing around during those quiet store moments?
Sure, you're fine with them taking a quick breather after dealing with a demanding customer or wrapping up a task. We all need that.
But there's still that line between taking a break and just plain standing around – and as managers, we know exactly when it's been crossed. It's a line between a break and just being lazy, and a good manager knows that a break quickly devolves into we're waiting for customers attitude to take over. Then watch how fast your store's energy tanks.
We've all heard that, If you can lean you can clean from restaurants forever but it is a fun quote to say but doesn't mean much to front lines these days. Yes, it should always be first priority during downtime. And before you skip ahead thinking "my team knows how to clean," stick with me here.
Trust me – customers notice way more than your employees do, so being specific about cleaning tasks actually matters.
And outside of special events or holidays, without direction, employees' interests are bound to turn to their phones, not someone walking into your store for the first time.
In an ideal world, your crew would naturally find constructive ways to use their downtime for growth and development, like calling customers to inform them what is new or just to followup.
But sometimes, they need a little direction. Here's the thing though – you don't want just random tasks to keep people busy. Many of these activities can only happen when your store is empty, making slow periods the perfect time to tackle them.
While it's great to get your team working together, sometimes that's not possible when someone needs to stay up front. No problem – both employees can still be productive, just separately.
What you're about to read is about half of our complete guide, which you can download for free.
The first group of actions is store cleaning tasks that tend to be forgotten and in some cases need to be done throughout the day, not just when you open:
Of course, once a customer comes in, all of this stops to greet the customer.
See also, 11 Ways Your Retail Employees Convert Buyers Into Lookers
In Sum
When it is slow, There are hundreds of tasks to give retail staff that will help you when business picks up. That’s why you need to develop a specific list like this for your store instead of using the old saw, “If you can lean, you can clean.”
To increase your employee performance management skills, remember your employees are human beings who want to do work that is challenging and important, so giving them time to develop and educate others on your team should be equally balanced with chores.
If you accomplish both of these things, you will find that you have a sales team with more of a sense of accomplishment and job satisfaction, which in turn improves morale, motivation, and retention.
Be specific and have fun with it – you’re paying them anyway, so why not find ways to keep them engaged, learning, and moving – not only sweeping and straightening.