The holiday season is the retail world's Super Bowl—a time when foot traffic spikes, operations need to run like clockwork, and every detail counts. For commercial real estate (CRE) Property Managers, this season presents unique challenges, from staffing pressures to security demands. Here's a breakdown of how CRE Managers can optimize staffing and security for a seamless, profitable holiday season.
A Guide to Peak Retail Seasons
Plan for Strategic Staffing: Retailers and tenants are not the only ones who need more hands during the holiday rush. Bringing in temporary staff ensures properties stay safe, clean, and operational as foot traffic climbs. Consider these key roles:
Maintenance Teams: Increases in visitors mean higher demands on facilities, with issues like HVAC malfunctions or restroom overuse popping up more frequently. Temporary maintenance personnel, including HVAC-certified techs and general maintenance staff, can help keep systems running smoothly and address issues promptly.
Cleaning and Sanitation Staff: Ensuring high cleanliness standards can make or break the shopping experience. Boosting janitorial services ensures that common areas stay clean and sanitized, giving shoppers a welcoming environment.
Seasonal Leasing Consultants: Hiring temporary leasing consultants can support Property Managers in filling any last-minute tenant vacancies and assist with client inquiries as interest in prime locations spikes.
Tip: Partner with a staffing firm that specializes in property management. Firms like BGSF offer flexible staffing options, from direct hires to temporary staff, tailored to meet peak-season demands.
Use Data-Driven Insights to Improve Staffing and Operations: Data is transforming the commercial property landscape. By tracking foot traffic patterns, maintenance needs, and security incidents, Property Managers can make informed staffing decisions. For instance, if data shows increased foot traffic in certain areas at specific times, you can allocate additional security staff there or increase cleaning frequency.
Incorporating technology-driven insights into your seasonal plan can optimize resource use. Real-time data can indicate when and where to dispatch personnel, keeping operations smooth and potentially reducing staffing costs by deploying resources only when they’re truly needed.
Increase Security Measures - Both Physical and Digital: With more people onsite, the risk of security breaches increases. Here’s how to reinforce security during high-traffic times:
Physical Security: Increasing the number of trained security guards is essential. Look for guards with experience in high-traffic management and crowd control. Specialized personnel can be hired to monitor exits and entrances, reducing the chance of unauthorized access and potential theft.
Surveillance Technology: Consider investing in temporary surveillance equipment, such as mobile cameras, to cover any blind spots in your permanent system. AI-based surveillance can help security teams monitor live feeds and identify potential risks in real-time.
Cybersecurity for Tenant Systems: As retail properties increasingly rely on tech-driven solutions for transactions, digital security is crucial. Check that all digital systems are up-to-date, with firewalls, secure Wi-Fi networks, and proper data encryption in place to avoid hacking attempts, especially during Black Friday and other peak sales dates.
Create Clear Emergency and Contingency Plans: During peak seasons, unexpected issues—from power outages to weather disruptions—can quickly escalate. It’s essential to prepare in advance:
Emergency Response Drills: Run drills with both permanent and temporary staff to ensure everyone knows their role in an emergency, such as a fire, severe weather event, or medical situation.
Backup Personnel: The holiday season coincides with flu season. Ensure you have backup staff available to cover for sick employees, especially in critical roles like maintenance and security.
Communication Plans: Make sure that you and your team have a clear protocol for internal and tenant communication in case of disruptions. Designate team leads who can act as points of contact in the event of a crisis.
Enhance Tenant Communication and Support: Keeping tenants informed and engaged can make a substantial difference in seasonal property management success:
Regular Updates: Inform tenants of any changes to security, maintenance schedules, and peak-time protocols. This communication helps tenants prepare and encourages them to align their operations accordingly.
Seasonal Leasing Incentives: Some retailers look for temporary leasing options to test locations during peak season. Consider offering flexible, short-term leasing solutions to attract these tenants, providing both a revenue boost and increased foot traffic for the property.
Evaluate and Adjust Post-Season: After the holiday season, analyze the performance of your staffing and security plans. Gather insights on what worked well and where you could improve, using this feedback to inform future peak seasons. Insights from tenant feedback, incident reports, and resource use data will help you fine-tune your approach and stay one step ahead in the next retail rush.
Holiday Prepared
For CRE Property Managers, peak retail seasons offer both opportunities and challenges. By strategically enhancing staffing, optimizing security, and maintaining clear communication with tenants, you can ensure your property remains a safe, inviting space for all. Leveraging a trusted staffing partner, like BGSF, adds further peace of mind, ensuring that you have the right support, exactly when you need it. Embrace these strategies to keep operations smooth, clients happy, and tenants profitable during the season’s busiest months!
To learn more about how BGSF can support your facility's seasonal needs, contact our team today. We’re here to ensure your property management needs are met, no matter the season!
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