Temporary Wall Systems: Renovating Retail Spaces During the Holiday Rush

Renovating a retail location over the holidays sounds counterintuitive. The truth is, there usually isn’t a choice. Construction containment is where you do have a choice.  

Today’s modular wall options completely conceal construction and preserve aesthetics to keep crowds flowing. Take a closer look at the benefits of temporary wall systems and more tips for renovating retail spaces during the holiday rush. 

The pros and cons of renovating during the holiday rush 

Whether it’s a burst pipe or contractor availability issues, some retail spaces are simply stuck with holiday renovations. However, it’s not all bad news.  

Cons of renovating retail spaces during the holidays  Pros of renovating retail spaces during the holidays 
Disrupted business operations  Reconfigured layouts highlight holiday specials, entice repeat customers, and provide advertising opportunities 
Construction noise and dust  Greater contractor availability means work is more likely to be completed on schedule 
Staff and patron safety concerns  Potential tax benefits associated with completing renovations before the end of the year, especially if improving energy efficiency 
Logistical challenges and extra stress  Fixtures and supplies may be more affordable during the winter months  
You may be able to secure building permits and other approvals easier during off-peak time

 

The benefits of using temporary walls for retail renovations 

There’s a solution to most of the cons of holiday retail renovation listed above. Temporary walls make construction more manageable in the following ways: 

Blocking off safety hazards 

Temporary walls are solid barriers. They totally eliminate access to trip hazards, sharp objects, and other safety risks associated with a work site. 

Mitigating dust and noise 

Nothing will make a customer turn on their heel and exit the premises faster than the sound of a buzzsaw accompanied by clouds of dust. The complete blockage of temporary walls contains dust and dampens noise. 

Directing foot traffic 

Treat holiday retail renovations as an opportunity to experiment with a new, improved store layout that strengthens sales. Devise a footpath that leads customers where you want and puts items of interest front and center. 

Creating new holiday displays 

Enhance your exclusive holiday layout with graphics. Some temporary wall systems, such as our Connect collection, assemble to display large, high-quality photos. Use it as valuable ad space, promote a brand or service, or ramp up the holiday spirit with seasonal visuals. 

More tips for smoother holiday renovations 

  • Brief staff and provide additional training where necessary. Ensure everyone’s on the same page with operational changes. 
  • Let customers know what’s going on. If the customer experience is altered in any way, explain why. This also lowers any safety risks. 
  • Plan to complete larger renovations in phases. This reduces changes to operations and keeps more space available for business as usual. 
  • Always have a backup plan. Reserving some budget and formulating a Plan B in case of disruptions goes a long way in successfully pulling off a mid-holiday renovation. 

Temporary Wall Systems in action 

Still not convinced that retail reno during a holiday can be anything but a disaster? Temporary Wall Systems (TWS) is there to help businesses pull it off. Our cost-effective, low-commitment rental model and turnkey service make it as easy and helpful as possible.  

For instance, TWS stepped in to conceal a renovation project at a high-end retail store in an upscale Atlanta shopping center. They continued operations while maintaining the clean, elegant appearance their clientele expected. 

If you’re stuck with holiday season renovations, don’t compromise. Contact us today for a solution that can keep you in business.  

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