Although the winter season brings snowfall, and wet and frosty weather, it is also a time when people are out shopping for the holiday period. With the increase in foot traffic potentially creating dangerous wet floor conditions, retailers need to prepare their stores, not only for the festive season rush but to ensure they have the correct health and safety measures in place to protect both staff and customers.
This guide offers comprehensive strategies to maintain safety within retail settings without compromising the excitement of holiday shopping.
Understanding winter hazards in retail spaces
Accidents in retail are the most common, especially during the winter season. With customers rushing around doing their Christmas shopping to warehouse workers working in fast-paced environments, the risk for slips, trips and falls is significantly higher in this period. Combined with the likelihood of rain causing wet floors, safety measures must be put in place to reduce the risk of accidents. According to the Amtrust Retail Sector Risk Report, ‘more retail accidents occur during this period compared with any other time of the year’.
So what can retailers do to minimise the risk? The first step is to identify the hazards before they become dangerous incidents. Some of the main hazards and safety threats include:
- Slippery floors and entrances: Customers entering the store from snow and rainy weather conditions can create slippery floors.
- Icy entrances: Walkways, entrances and frozen steps can become a potential slip hazard.
- Cold working conditions for staff: Warehouses are usually very cold spaces, and without the correct clothing gear, employees are at risk of becoming ill and subsequently, taking time off work
- Reduced visibility in parking spaces: Frost and ice can build up in parking spaces, making it difficult for customers to walk safely to their vehicles.
- Inadequate lighting: With shorter days comes reduced daylight hours. Make sure all walkways are well-lit and marked. You may need to install additional outdoor lighting in pathways that are not well-lit.
Winter safety strategies for retail environments
Now that we have identified the potential risks and hazards, we need to implement the correct health and safety measures to ensure customers and staff are equipped with the right tools and knowledge to reduce the risk of accidents and falls. Here are our top tips for facility and store managers on how to maintain safety within retail settings including our top winter safety product recommendations.
Educate staff on safety protocols: Providing your team with thorough training on winter safety protocols creates a protective environment that safeguards both staff and customers throughout the challenging seasonal period.
Use de-icing salt on external entrances, walkways and car parks: The de-icing salt will help to melt the snow and ice on surfaces, allowing customers to safely walk in and out of the store. It can also reduce the risks of cars slipping which can result in accidents.
At Nobisco, we offer a bulk de-icing salt pallet offer of 40 bags, sourced from sustainable Mediterranean Sea salt beds and boasting an almost 100% pure sodium chloride composition. Our de-icing salt is unlike traditional brown salt (grit), white salt leaves behind minimal residue, making it ideal for pathways, pavements, and commercial settings where cleanliness is paramount.
Use safety signs around the store: Heavy foot traffic can bring in wet and muddy shoes, creating slippery floor surfaces. Ensuring you have the correct wet floor safety signage out on the shop floor can warn customers about a potential slip hazard. Our safety sign is yellow with easy-to-read graphics and can easily fold away when not in use.
Ensure staff are equipped to work in cold conditions: Warehouse and stock rooms are often cooler with no source of heating. Providing your staff with HI-VIS clothing, gloves and jackets will help keep them warm during their shift. At Nobisco, our Hi-Vis jackets are lightweight, comfortable and windproof with a warm fleeced back. They also include deep pockets for easily accessible storage.
Send weather update emails: If you have email marketing set up for your company, it's a good idea to send them weather warning updates and notify customers of what you’ll be doing to ensure they have a safe shopping trip to your store.
Benefits of being proactive during winter
The winter season can be a busy sales period in the retail space, and often, winter safety precautions are an afterthought or businesses have not anticipated the extreme weather conditions. However, having a clear and robust safety plan in place before winter kicks in will help to alleviate the pressure and you’ll be able to keep staff and customers safe, while gaining a significant competitive advantage over less prepared competitors. For all your winter safety products, browse our online store to find everything you need to stay ahead this season.
