Supermarkets

Contents:
ARTICLE: "NOROVIRUS THREAT ..."
HACCP IN THE SUPERMARKET
MEAT ROOM SANITATION
PAPER PROFITS



PAPER PROFITS: RESTROOM SUPPLIES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE WITH CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

Industry study after industry study confirm the same thing: restroom issues are a significant source of customer complaints. In fact, according to Cleaning & Maintenance Management magazine, both cleanliness and supply problems are significant issues according to customers, cited by nearly 21% of respondents surveyed. That's small potatoes compared to what the magazine found when they asked facility managers. In that study, fully 60% said that they've received restroom complaints from their clients.

Those are numbers that can't be ignored. In today's competitive marketplace, businesses must do everything they can to ensure customer satisfaction and boost customer retention. Restrooms are the obvious place to start.

Dispensing Advice
You don't like it when you find empty or broken dispensers in bathroom stalls, so you know just how your customers feel when they encounter the same. Keeping your dispensers well-stocked and maintained is one of the most fundamental restroom services you can provide.

When placing dispensers, look for units that minimize the opportunity for cross-contamination. Not only do more hygienic units prevent the spread of germs that could cause illness, they also increase customer satisfaction because they boost the level of comfort in the facility.

Users should never have to touch anything other than the paper product they're using - no levers, knobs or dials. Those are harbors for bacteria, and the more moving parts there are, the more things there are that can break down. Even better are systems where the paper is completely enclosed. It provides an additional barrier from environmental contact and appeals to those customers conscious of sanitation issues.

Also look for units that provide usage control. Dual-roll toilet tissue dispensers, for example, ensure that all of the product is used in one roll before switching over to the next. This ensures that the dispensers are always adequately stocked, and they eliminate those countless rolls of nearly-finished tissue that wind up costing you a significant amount over the long term.

Also keep in mind that if you're going to begin using touch-free dispensers, you should consider switching over the entire facility, including everything from toilet tissue units to hand towel dispensers, automatic flushing devices and water faucets.

While the installation of new units is an expense that must be reconciled, many facilities managers find that updated facilities quickly pay for themselves. Not only does the increased satisfaction lead to greater loyalty and improved customer retention, but the savings realized from reduced waste can be considerable.