Industry Voices

— By Caleigh Peterson — How Spice Village improved communication and store operations with two-way radios. With the retail industry facing more challenges than ever before, effective communication is crucial. A study published by the International Journal of Business Communication found that clear communication is correlated with higher sales performance. This is especially evident for the retail industry. To ensure a business runs smoothly, it’s essential for retail owners and managers to find solutions to address these issues. In the bustling heart of Waco, Texas, Spice Village, a sprawling retail …

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— By Josh Miller — Preventive maintenance measures before disaster strikes. As a business owner, you’re always thinking about how to scale to the next level. You’re focused on what to do to improve daily operations, outshine the competition and attract more customers. But amid all of the strategic thinking and execution, one key aspect that often gets overlooked is planning for the worst-case scenario. In all my years in the restoration industry, I’ve seen firsthand how devastating these events can be whether in retail spaces or restaurants. One moment …

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— By Sarah J. Carter — Colder weather is the time to plan for the return of migrating birds next spring. [EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally appeared in the November 2024 magazine issue.] The seasons have changed, the autumn foliage is starting to brown and crisp early mornings greet you as you walk out the door. Every year, with the change of seasons, we make little adjustments, switching from iced coffee to a warm cup of cocoa, exchanging T-shirts for sweaters and jackets. Just as we make these minor changes …

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— By Jay Fiske — Connected equipment lays the foundation. Happy New Year! Brick-and-mortar retailers are starting 2025 with the wind at their backs. According to worldwide commercial real estate services and investment company CBRE, average monthly foot traffic in top retail districts could surpass pre-pandemic levels by late this year. But whether getting more customers in the door will elevate stores’ top and bottom lines remains an open question. To capitalize on this foot traffic, facility managers must help their stores provide a great experience while controlling costs. Balancing …

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— By Tony Atti, Ph.D. — How omnichannel can unlock and accelerate growth in the grocery sector — and can save retailers billions of dollars.  In recent years, the promise of omnichannel for grocers loomed on the horizon — a concept that felt like a future problem, not necessarily a problem that demanded immediate attention. The pandemic changed all of that and forced the need for a functioning omnichannel front and center, placing that need squarely on the shoulders of logistics managers. Major grocers answered. In fact, online grocery orders …

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— By Marc Mascarello — How retailers can maintain optimal airflow and air quality by using non-metal diffusers to enhance the efficiency of their HVAC system. A crucial yet often overlooked component of any HVAC system is the diffuser, which is responsible for dispersing conditioned air throughout a space. Even so, over the past 75 years, innovation in HVAC diffuser design has been minimal. Historically, the focus has been on manufacturing ease and profitability rather than enhancing functionality and visual appeal. Metal diffusers, while inexpensive and straightforward to mass-produce, tend …

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— By Nathan Willard — Kitchen cleaning and maintenance is a marathon, not a sprint. For restaurant managers who already have enough on their plates, preventative maintenance (PM) can easily get swept away in the busyness of a daily routine. As a result, PM items that need to be performed on a regular basis often get pushed to the side. In the blink of an eye, a fire safety inspection that restaurant managers and owners should be prepared for is only weeks away, catching managers and their kitchen staff off …

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— By Chris Jernigan — Meeting the evolving needs of the multi-site facilities sector. The landscape of multi-site facilities management is undergoing significant change. Looking ahead, it is crucial to anticipate and meet the evolving needs and expectations of customers. Companies are constantly seeking ways to distinguish themselves and enhance the customer experience. For facility leaders, this means being prepared to support new projects and ideas as they emerge. However, in focusing on the latest trends, we might sometimes overlook customers who do not fit into these advancements. I recently …

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— By Jenn Poultney — Best practices for stopping roof leaks before they start. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and that couldn’t be truer when it comes to managing facilities, especially on the roof. Keeping up with preventive maintenance and performing routine inspections can significantly reduce roof leaks and improve the health and longevity of a roof. Most roof warranties require scheduled maintenance or housekeeping to keep the warranty in good standing. Neglecting these activities or not properly documenting these activities can void a roof’s …

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— By Del Williams — Advanced Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) eliminate potential dead zones in commercial buildings to help first responders stay connected. First responders such as fire, EMS and police depend on reliable two-way radio communication when lives and property are at risk. That’s not always an easy task in many buildings. In-building radio signals are often absorbed or blocked by structures that are larger, underground or constructed of concrete or metal. Additionally, building features designed to create more sustainable facilities such as low-E glass windows can …

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