Flooring matters so much in the retail sector, and the most successful shops will balance practicality and functionality with faultless aesthetics.
In many recent eulogies to the stationary institution WH Smith, the condition of the carpets is a remarkably common talking point, with some treating it almost as a metaphor for the moribund state of the retailer itself.
This means that hard-wearing, professional-looking flooring is not only necessary for functional reasons but also to present your business in the best possible way.
In that regard, the flexibility and versatility of safety vinyl are extremely difficult to beat, and whilst it is most commonly associated with industrial, care and education settings where the non-slip texture and moisture resistance are a major safety factor.
Here are some of the biggest reasons to choose safety vinyl flooring for retail.
Avoids Spillage Slips
A common problem found in supermarkets and corner shops is the potential for slip hazards caused by food or liquid spillages.
This can become a liability nightmare, and a lot of shops have to block off or quickly clean up spills whenever they are caused in order to avoid potential legal action in the future.
The texturing of safety flooring means that there is less risk of standing or pooling water forming, as well as reducing the risk that a particularly slippery substance would remove all traction and thus increase the risk of an accident.
Whilst most food retailers and bars are particularly diligent when it comes to spillages for reasons that go beyond spillages and liability, it gives retailers and restaurateurs a little more time during peak hours.
Very Easy To Clean
The typical alternative to a hard flooring surface such as stone, concrete or terrazzo is carpet, but carpets are not ideal for many retailers because textiles have a tendency to absorb moisture, dirt and humidity, which can make them a haven for bacteria if not deep cleaned regularly.
By contrast, safety flooring provides the same texture and traction but is just as easy to wipe clean using a mop as any other hard flooring.
Given the stringent legal requirements when it comes to food hygiene, this can be a critical advantage for retailers concerned about the long-term effects of spills on their businesses.
Highly Durable
Vinyl surfaces are designed with durability in mind, and given the effects a worn-out or heavily stained floor can have on the reputation of a business, this can be a critical choice to ensure that an establishment with significant customer traffic can operate without frequent disruptions.
Value should always be determined through long-term overall costs, and by opting for a highly durable, long-lasting flooring solution that will not need to be regularly replaced, the value proposition becomes extremely attractive for many businesses.
Longer-lasting flooring not only saves you financially because you do not need to order new flooring materials and get them professionally installed, but it also saves you the disruption of having to potentially close a shop in order to enable the floor to be replaced or pay extra for an out-of-hours installation.
