Durable Retail Flooring from FLOORChef

Retail Flooring - The Retail Traps

The search for a retail floor with the qualities highlighted in the previous email (What A Floor Can Do) can take you down a number of paths. Regardless of which one you choose, there are a few traps I'd like to warn you about to help achieve the best result.

An eye to the future

With the need to keep refreshing shop appearances in step with the retail floor churn, it pays to keep an eye on the future when selecting a floor for now. The fact is you can save a lot of future pain by putting something down that won't lead to headaches later on. For instance, if you're not thrilled with the idea of ripping up tiles in 5-7 years then would it be wise to go there now? Likewise, the ultra smooth, hard finish of polished concrete can last a long time, but if you need a change it can be a tricky surface to work with as far as other flooring styles are concerned.

Something different and more than once with retail floors

With ample evidence pointing at a move towards greater individuality in retail flooring, a customised product should also be highly sought after. Of particular note here are the resin-based metallic finishes because while a few companies are doing brilliant floors in this field, not all of them can deliver something just for you. If a large chain wants the same retail floor in all stores, genuine reproducibility is another thing not everyone can offer and has to be ticked off from the start.

Hold off on shop floors

Another trap many fall into with retail floors is the timing when it comes to new fit outs. I understand the complexities involved in organising all the trades within customarily tight schedules, however installing a shop floor too early in the piece can be a big mistake. The movement of heavy items, dropped tools and abrasive dust can severely damage a new floor no matter how many sheets are laid or careful the workers are. If you want a retail floor to look its best come opening day, it must be the last piece of the puzzle rather than the first.

To finish up, I'll leave you with a few tips on resin flooring specifically. All the stuff you may have already read on quality resin flooring in this blog applies to retail as well. If I was looking at resin floor for my shop floor, I would start with good wear and stain resistance that is easy to clean; something that won't disappear in 12 months or be ruined the first time a child drops their frozen coke. I would also want a product that manages the effects of UV somehow to minimise yellowing and fading at entrance ways.

If you have any questions about the traps for retail floors, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Keep Smiling,
Jack Josephsen
Head FLOORChef

For more articles on retail flooring, visit the YESChef! Blog