Close early? Don't!!

[BOSS]

I know this probably does not need to be said (but wen did that ever stop me) as you never leave even 5 minutes early...right?

We have been seeing a nice upward trend in late day cash and carry sales for the last couple months... where 4:30 to 5:30 has become very consistent in larger hand tied bouquets, and today is no different... and on 7 of the last 11-12 business days, we've had $100.00+ cash and carry requests...

One guy, about a half hour before close last week got 8 $50.00 bouquets (I think I mentioned that last week)...

Tonights, has been several $35-50.00 and the last one was a dozen roses plus $50.00 in Gerbs...in two hand ties...

Don't lock up early... the grocery is always open... and in my case right across the street!

Have an awesome evening!

 

[Palms]

Actually Boss i think it did need saying, i have found the same just lately although nowhere near the sales your talking. I think its good to be reminded of the finer details!

Hey and glad to hear of the good sales..

 

[SpringCity]

Leaving earlier than your posted hours (non-emergency) makes a business look not serious or like a hobby. Great post!

 

[bloomz]

MAS's sales by hour analysis once showed us we spent about 3 times more in payroll for the year for that last hour of the day (5-6PM) than the gross sales were, so we started closing at 5.

 

[BOSS]

MAS's sales by hour analysis once showed us we spent about 3 times more in payroll for the year for that last hour of the day (5-6PM) than the gross sales were, so we started closing at 5.

Jon...not my point you idiot!

For you, it would be don't close at 4:55... that's my point.... DUH

Oh and it's 4:10 your time and no one is answering!!! Oh there you are...

 

[Queen of Weddings]

I agree, I think that every shop should be open early , and stay at least till 6, I know I am a workaholic, I am still here wishing , I could put my feet up, Such a long week, I hate thursday weddings,,,ICKY..

 

[bloomz]

Jon...not my point you idiot!

For you, it would be don't close at 4:55... that's my point.... DUH

Oh and it's 4:10 your time and no one is answering!!! Oh there you are...

Ummm sorry nimrod I wuz talking to one of them pesky customerz.....:tread:

 

[Knife's Wife]

I am open until 6:00 M-F I from 4-5 I had 4 customers worth $190.00. From 5-6 I had 9 customers that added up to $423.00. Those last 2 hours today was a third of my sales.

I never close even a minute early! Employees are warned that their job is in jeopardy if they do.

Joan

 

[lizzie ann]

Yup I fired an employee who thought I wouldn't find out she left an hour early when I was out servicing a wedding.Didn't expect me back........this was not the only thing she got fired for ,but it was the one that broke the camels back

 

[DistinctiveFlorist]

Not only do I think it is bad business to close early, it is one of my biggest pet peeves as a customer. Sometimes I only need two minutes in the store as I know exactly what I want and where it is. I will still be out before closing. Don't lock the door at five minutes until closing!!

Okay, I feel better now!

Wanda

 

[CHERYL BAKIN]

we also find that heavy phone traffic daily from 4:45 pm until about 7:00 pm -- as well as heavy walk-in traffic.

Our sign draws them in.....on their way home ------like stop & go!

Cheryl

 

[Sarah Botchick]

Any retail establishment should be open past the time that "normal" workers work. It only makes sense. Who would want to buy flowers in the morning to take home to their wife after work? Westfield malls around us all close at 8:30 now because of the economy. If you actually attempt to eat dinner at home after work there is no time to get to the mall anymore. It obviously saves on labor, but I have to think it hurts sales. It sure has cut my spending. (Although for me that is probably good!)

 

[BOSS]

Ummm sorry nimrod I wuz talking to one of them pesky customerz.....

OK...butt face.... :bootyshak

Those pesky customers bought you a Honda...remember?

BTW, you need to upgrade your customer base...maybe some day you can buy a real scooter

 

[RWK]

OK...butt face.... :bootyshak

Those pesky customers bought you a Honda...remember?

BTW, you need to upgrade your customer base...maybe some day you can buy a real scooter

I'm with ya on this one Boss......A Honda ?????

When he grows up maybe he can go from the kiddie Honda to one of these........

 

[Connie]

Not only do I think it is bad business to close early, it is one of my biggest pet peeves as a customer.

One of my pet peeves too! And my staff knows that if they do lock the door at the correct closing time, but a customer comes to the door, they'd better unlock it, let them in, and welcome them!

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

One of my pet peeves too! And my staff knows that if they do lock the door at the correct closing time, but a customer comes to the door, they'd better unlock it, let them in, and welcome them!

THE MOST sage advise of all!!
When customers call us to find out what time we're open till, our standard reply IS "when you get here", and "not, until after YOU leave!!"

 

[Luc]

We open our doors in the mall I am in at 9:30 am. But I am in the store usually between 8:30 and 8:45. Phone rings, I answer it. I know the other florist is not in by 9 and they close by 5 p.m. weekday and 4 on Sat. Whent hey are closed we do extra business. Not everyday but some days it is worth it. Some days it is quiet.
All depends on the market and area and time of month for us.

Luc

 

[HeatherTuckey]

I am open until 6:00 M-F I from 4-5 I had 4 customers worth $190.00. From 5-6 I had 9 customers that added up to $423.00. Those last 2 hours today was a third of my sales.

I never close even a minute early! Employees are warned that their job is in jeopardy if they do.

Joan

Perhaps you should be open until 7pm then? Let's say you have 5 fulltimers & are now open 9-6; currently two employees work 8-4:30 and 3 employees work 9:30-6 (30 min break)

Instead have one employee work 7-3:30, one work 8-4:30, one 9-5:30 and two 10:30-7pm.

With fewer staff it would be just one each time slot and omit the either the 8 or 9am shift and have only one working until 7pm, closing alone. Generally the 7-9am shift is not VERY busy, but busy enough for one person. Even if it is slow, it is a very productive time of the day to get done the next day's orders OR mass production of your top sellers. But just being there allows you to answer the phone when the majority of you customers can call from their cell during morning rush OR stop in and get flowers before work. Get a sign saying open at 7am... open until 7pm, and mention this to every customer phone and store. You will have calls and customers b/w 7-9am and 6-7pm.

If any of these are undesireable shifts, everyone alternates. We do shifts similar to this and then employees LOVE the 7am shift, so each person gets one per week.

I think staggaring your staff is they key to serving our customers 12 hrs. If you are not doing this, you are losing business. Customers work and we need to be open when they are not working. Otherwise they will shop elsewhere.

 

[lori042499]

I hardly ever close before my posted hours unless I absolutely have to to do a timed delivery or meet a client, but I post why I am not here or try to get someone to cover for me...

In the last year because of my funk and the crap I went through, I git into a habit of closing early just didn't want to be here and it impacted my business in a very short time....since January I have been staying late and being open after hours and now here it is June and business is far better than it has been...I too am noticing more late day sales I am busier now after 2 til 5 or even 6...I stay as long as it is busy...My posted hours still remain 10-4 but people do appreciate that I am open later when they see the posted hours and realize it is an hour or 2 past them...

 

[Kristine]

our 5pm -6pm walk in sales have crashed since M-DOT restriped our road from a 4 lane to 3 lane.

It's terrible trying to get out of our parking lot (we are on the wrong side of the road for going home traffic) and I have had several customers tell me this....
I know I have sat for 5-10 minutes just trying to turn out.


Something to keep in mind if you are planning a move. Better to be on the going home side of the road for afternoon traffic patterns to pick up more walk in traffic