What Store Managers Need To Know In Order To Save Money

If you are a store manager, then you probably receive a bonus at the end of each month. If you manage a restaurant, you are probably shorting your customers by giving them smaller portions than what the recipes call for. There is another way, however, that can make a difference in your bottom line. Consider these solutions to common problems.

• Once each month, use WD-40 (not Superlube, oil, Tri-Flow, graphite, or some other dry lubricant) and lightly spray the key cylinders and lock latches. Yes, WD-40 does attract dust; but it will not be enough to worry about. The dry film Teflon lubricants do not hold up for very long. This is twenty-three years of experience talking here.
• On a weekly basis, test your Detex exit alarms. These units are designed to keep customers and employees from exiting secretly with stolen merchandise.
• Do not allow employees to put broom handles, bricks, or other similar things between the hinge side of the door and the jamb to keep the door open. When you have something holding the door open in this fashion, the least amount of force on the door can ruin a $1000 door. Why? Because the piece of wood acts as a fulcrum.
• Keep the thresholds swept on a daily basis. Dirt, rocks and other debris often collect in the threshold and will make the door harder to unlock and lock.
• Check your door closers for slamming or leaking oil. Do this weekly. If a door slams it can break bones and sever small fingers. I fit needs adjusting, use an Allen wrench or screw driver and tighten or loosen the adjustment screws, but do so a little at a time. If there are traces of oil around the unit or dripping from the arm screw attached to the closer, replace it. This oil can cause a slip on the floor or ruin someone's nice clothes.
• Install a Don-Jo latch protector on the office door. If you have just a lever, then your employees are using a credit card to gain access.
• Check the restroom locks. Open the door, push in the lock button, let the door close. The lock should unlock itself automatically. When a customer uses the restroom and locks the lock when the door is closed, it stays locked. The unlock feature is designed so that the door cannot be locked accidentally by a person who is exiting. If needed, buy a new privacy function lever. Make it a grade 1 for durability. 
• Consider getting a lock and key system that uses hard-to-duplicate keys. Otherwise, your employees are copying keys at Walmart that end up working poorly and end up prematurely wearing out your locks.
• If the safe combination is not working every single time, or takes multiple tries in order to open the safe, have it serviced or replace it. A new lock may cost you $400 to $700. But, if the safe locks up on you, add to that $350 to $500.