Temporary Wall Systems in Retail: Keeping Businesses Open
Department stores, grocery stores, malls, and other retailers rely on in-person foot traffic to keep their physical locations open. However, unexpected closures and lengthy renovations can hurt customer retention. Many owners and managers put off much-needed repairs and updates, affecting customer satisfaction.
Fortunately, there are ways to minimize closures during construction. Here’s how deploying temporary wall systems in retail locations is the most reliable method of keeping businesses open.
The main benefits of temporary wall systems in retail
Using temporary walls for construction or repair containment pays off because it can:
- Reduce downtime due to unscheduled closures
- Keep the space clean and navigable for customers
- Help advertise brands, new products, and special sales
- Adjust as needed for different project phases
Using temporary walls for retail renovation and construction
One of the best ways to stay open during a renovation is to complete it in stages. This is where temporary walls win over practically any other solution.
These systems are modular, so they can be reconfigured to cover different areas of all sizes during each project phase. This is a benefit you cannot get from drywall. Temporary drywall would need to be demolished and cleaned up. Then, the walls for the next phase would need to be hung and finished again.
Plastic sheeting can easily be transferred to cordon off different phases of the project. However, the two main drawbacks are the poor aesthetics and the lack of security. Construction mess and noise pollution will be more prevalent when using plastic sheeting, impacting customer experience.
If your renovation containment solution needs quick reconfiguration and appealing aesthetics, temporary wall systems are the only option. They can be set up, dismantled, and deployed again in a few hours with no additional mess.
Using temporary walls to stay open during unexpected challenges
Unforeseen closures from fire damage, water damage, or pest infestation can break some businesses. Temporary walls make it possible to continue serving customers when the worst happens.
Fire restoration is a multi-step process involving careful, thorough cleaning, removal of damaged areas, and structural repairs in a well-ventilated area. Temporary walls provide complete containment of this essential work.
The same goes for water damage. The affected area must be totally isolated, posing a real challenge for businesses that cannot afford to lose that revenue. But temporary walls can completely conceal sites just like this, as we did for one Boston-area restaurant. They continued serving customers despite a burst pipe in their walls.
Best practices for using temporary walls at retail locations
1. Schedule renovations for slower times of the year
Don’t plan construction during peak times if you can avoid it. Retail experts generally consider the “J-months” the slowest for shopping – January, June, and July.
2. Notify customers of any closures and use safety signage in the store
Let customers know what to expect even if work zones are securely contained behind modular walls.
Share renovation dates and any changes to hours of operation on business pages. Remember to place accident prevention signs in areas where customers or employees could step into a hazard zone.
3. Trust professionals to complete fast, secure installation and removal
Proper installation is a huge factor in using temporary walls successfully. At TWS, we dispatch a team to your location to set up your containment as efficiently as possible.
4. Add images, logos, or other graphics to temporary walls where helpful
Temporary walls that support branding or advertising go a step further in maintaining a customer-centric environment. TWS Core and Connect collections each offer their own levels of graphics presentation.
Get more advice about using temporary wall systems in retail
You may not have to shut down for renovation or repair. Temporary walls with a sleek, professional appearance, noise-dampening foam core, and durable composition can completely contain affected areas. Our new connect walls are also a perfect fit for retail spaces.
To learn more about easy-to-rent, scalable, expertly installed temporary wall systems, request an estimate for your project.
