Resources

Skilled tradesmen are the lifeblood of retail stores, especially when it comes to supermarkets and facilities that rely heavily on refrigeration and other critical equipment. However, with rising facilities costs, advancing technology demands, and an increasing shortage of skilled labor, skilled tradespeople are evolving –- into multi-skilled technicians, or MSTs. Evidence shows that facilities management leaders can cut costs and…

One of the most effective ways for modern retailers to stay modern is with regular, planned remodeling and renovation projects. Well-executed retail remodeling can completely reinvent your customers’ experience, making your supermarket or retail location a sought-after shopping destination. Retail remodeling projects involve numerous stakeholders and collaborators, from store operations and management teams to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing contractors. The…

Deferred maintenance may seem like an easy way to cut costs in the short term, but it almost always leads to bigger problems and expenses down the road. For instance, a heat pump or air conditioner over 10 years old may increase energy consumption by as much as 20%, leading to elevated heating and cooling costs. For retailers overseeing extensive…

A historic shift is underway for supermarkets and food retailers who rely on refrigeration technologies, as sweeping new federal legislation aims to substantially curb greenhouse gas emissions from legacy cooling systems. This change stands to affect thousands of grocery stores nationwide. With the ambitious American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act setting the aggressive and legally binding goal of phasing down…

Serving as the backbone for countless enterprises, spanning from hospitals to factories, commercial facility management is both mission-critical and intensely complex. Facility managers must synchronize intricate systems, technicians, vendors, and internal stakeholders to maintain environments that enable operations to run smoothly around the clock. Seemingly simple breakdowns in cleaning schedules or temperature levels can significantly disrupt productivity and safety when…

When facility maintenance is performed effectively, almost no one notices. In a retail environment, shoppers navigate the aisles comfortably without distraction, and staff can focus on providing excellent service rather than dealing with unexpected breakdowns or service calls. But as effortless as operations may seem, it takes a great deal of strategic planning and proactive measures to ensure everything functions…

Amid rising costs for labor, food, and real estate, restaurant facility management has a tough time competing for priority on the C-suite’s crowded agenda. Yet it plays a crucial role in restaurant and brand success, from keeping kitchen equipment running to presenting a comfortable, clean and inviting environment for customers. Here are five common restaurant facility challenges and solutions that…

Finding the right talent has always been a challenge, but recruiting skilled technicians has been particularly difficult in recent years thanks to a shrinking technical workforce. This underscores the importance of optimizing your organization’s technician recruitment strategies. “In the world of recruiting, everyone tends to follow the same pattern — posting the same job listings to the same job sites,”…

In today’s competitive marketplace, businesses in commercial real estate, retail, grocery, restaurants, hospitality, and other sectors rely heavily on their technical workforce. Ensuring these skilled tradesmen are effectively recruited, trained, and developed is crucial for operational efficiency and delivering exceptional customer experiences. Here are some top technical workforce strategies to help businesses unlock their potential and stay ahead of the…

Given the increasing complexities and higher performance demands of the FM industry, choosing an FM consultant can be a strategic move to stay competitive. However, not all facilities management consultancies are created equal. After all, the challenges placed on facilities management teams have never been heavier, requiring hands-on experience and tested approaches. These include: Improving efficiency while driving cost savings…

While not always the most glamorous aspect of a retail business, maintenance is critical for ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for customers and employees alike while also supporting operations and cost savings. At least, this is true of retail maintenance done right. How do you maintain a retail store to ensure that operations remain smooth and costs stay down?…

In today’s convenience store market, the challenge of not only attracting casual shoppers but converting them into loyal customers is critical. To achieve this, differentiating your c-store business from the competition is essential, requiring a fresh set of innovative strategies. The industry’s growth trajectory underscores the potential for success. In 2023, convenience store sales reached $858.8 billion across the U.S….

Given the impact supermarkets and other food retailers have on the environment, as the world focuses more on sustainability, facilities managers in this sector can expect to face stricter regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions — especially those originating from HFC refrigerants — in the coming years. Used in refrigeration and HVAC systems, HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) are potent greenhouse gasses. According…

From ensuring safety to meeting the latest energy legislation — all while ensuring smooth operations and minimizing costs — retail facilities managers in the food retail space have a great deal of responsibility on their shoulders. But thanks to recent innovations in technology, FM leaders now have a wealth of tools and strategies at their disposal to ensure effectiveness. In this…

There’s no question that facilities management leaders have a lot on their plates these days. In addition to taking care of reactive maintenance to ensure maximum uptime, climate legislation is ramping up and the customer experience has never been more critical. While accomplishing all the goals associated with facilities management can seem overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. We spoke…

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, convenience stores have stepped up to meet the evolving needs of consumers — in this case, by filling the gap left by fast food establishments transitioning to more “fast casual” restaurants. Now c-stores are finding themselves in a unique position as go-to destinations for quick and convenient meals and even designer coffee options — venturing well beyond…

In the retail industry, where every aspect of store design is meticulously crafted to drive sales and enhance the customer experience, energy efficiency can often take a back seat. But in the current landscape of rising energy costs, stricter regulations, and more eco-conscious consumers, an increasing number of retailers are recognizing the importance of sustainability for new stores and remodels….

Implementing a preventive maintenance model is one of the most effective ways to save on maintenance costs, extend the life of equipment, and boost employee satisfaction and retention — making it critical for any facilities management initiative. As preventive maintenance checklists are at the center of any successful planned preventive maintenance (PPM) program, learning how to strategically create and utilize them…

From maintaining buildings and assets to ensuring a safe and efficient workplace, facilities management teams play a vital role in the food retail space. To excel in this rapidly evolving field, continuous training is essential at all levels. At the same time, FM leaders are up against not only an unprecedented labor shortage as younger generations shy away from the…

Ensuring the safety and well-being of both employees and customers is paramount to retail facilities managers. This makes implementation of a grocery store safety checklist, retail store safety checklist, and other safety checklists a vital FM function. But the safety checklist, as central as it is, is just the start of an effective safety program. We spoke with James Halaszynski,…

The building envelope, often referred to as a structure’s “skin,” is one of the most critical aspects of any building. It acts as a barrier, protecting the interior environment from external elements, and plays a major role in energy efficiency and overall comfort. In the case of a grocery store facility, the building envelope is especially vital due to the…

In our recent article, Decarbonization 101: Key Decarbonization Strategies for Retailers, we covered several decarbonization strategies that can be implemented by facilities leaders as part of their journey toward achieving net zero emissions. Now, we’re taking this opportunity to deep dive into one particular decarbonization strategy for food retail and other businesses that use refrigeration equipment — refrigeration heat reclaim….

The sustainability goals outlined in the Paris Agreement, endorsed by the United States Climate Pledge, are exerting unprecedented pressure on businesses to develop comprehensive policies and strategies that promote sustainability. In the food retail industry, the Science-Based Targets initiative for Net Zero Standard — also known as SBTi Net Zero — offers a roadmap for businesses seeking to align their strategies…

In the global effort to mitigate climate change and lower carbon emissions, the spotlight is now firmly on industries that have a significant environmental footprint. The food retail industry in particular — especially with consumers increasingly demanding eco-conscious products and practices — is well-poised to undergo a transformative shift toward sustainability in the coming years. A greener future starts with…

If you’re looking to save on energy costs, extend the life of building MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing which includes HVAC, refrigeration, and control system) assets, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, commissioning and its sibling, recommissioning, are two of the lowest-hanging fruits available to facilities management teams. Below we cover some key things you need to know about performing MEP…

With the global pandemic largely behind us, grocers are now faced with a new challenge — the acceleration of sustainability initiatives fueled by new international agreements and state and national laws regulating greenhouse gas emissions. “…[Sustainability] is increasingly a strategic differentiating factor for retailers and a source of value and growth in often challenging, stagnating market environments,” McKinsey notes in a…

Facilities management checklists are commonly employed as a vital preventive measure prior to kicking off the summer and winter seasons. But in the food retail industry, there’s another critical season that requires the attention of FM teams in advance — the holidays. Kicking off with Labor Day in early September and extending through New Year’s Day, the holiday season requires a…

(Updated January 29, 2024) With energy prices growing steadily and stricter sustainability standards being rolled out state after state in the U.S., grocery retailers are feeling more pressure than ever to cut back on energy consumption to both manage energy expenses and reduce greenhouse gas (“carbon”) emissions. Fortunately, money and effort invested in food retail store energy efficiency can have…

As the world becomes increasingly focused on sustainability, grocery stores, convenience stores, and other food retailers are playing a significant role in helping their communities get on the path to net zero. And the success of their sustainability efforts rest in large part on the shoulders of already very busy facilities managers. With the right sustainable facilities management strategy in…

Summer can be one of the busiest times for facilities management teams, especially for grocery stores and other retailers. Between emergency A/C repairs and managing severe weather threats, it can be hard enough to keep up with reactive calls let alone planned preventive maintenance (PM) programs. This makes spring a valuable time for FM leaders to get a leg up…

(Updated January 2, 2024) As we step into 2024, grocery store retailers have their work cut out for them as the industry continues to grapple with the aftermath of the pandemic — including evolving consumer shopping habits, labor shortages, and supply chain issues — in the midst of stricter net-zero legislation and escalating consumer demand for eco-friendly practices. To prepare for…

Those who can remember when depletion of the ozone layer by CFC refrigerants forced the US food retailing and other industries that require refrigeration to phase them out in the 1990s are likely experiencing déjà vu as food retailing and other industries make yet another transition to a whole new generation of refrigerants that are kinder to the environment. In…

Perhaps the hottest trend in facilities management, “smart” building technologies aren’t just on the rise — with the number of smart buildings expected to increase from 45 to 115 million over the course of 2022 to 2026, it’s clear smart building technology is being adopted at an accelerating rate. But where does the grocery industry stand in all of this?…

In facilities management, maintenance can be said to fall into four main categories. While all of them have their place in an FM strategy, failure to maintain a proper balance by leaning too hard on reactive maintenance can be detrimental to a retail business. In addition to reducing operational capacity, it can result in higher maintenance costs, lower employee retention,…

One of the biggest opportunities in the facilities management field today is without a doubt making the shift to a preventive maintenance model. Not only does an effective planned preventive maintenance program (or PM program, for short) result in significant savings in emergency maintenance repairs, but it also extends the life of equipment and boosts employee retention. As the Director…

While things are looking up for the convenience store industry now that we’re on the other side of the pandemic, there are still a number of challenges facing convenience store operators in 2023 and beyond — from high gas prices and unprecedented inflation to the rapidly evolving expectations of consumers and increasing competition as other business sectors try to meet…

In a recent report, McKinsey revealed that outsourced facilities management services now make up more than half of the total FM market in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. The researchers list several market trends that have made outsourcing a more viable option for facilities management. These include: Slowing economic growth in several large countries Global trade conflicts that…

Facilities leaders, get ready. Winter has barely started, and already it looks like it will live up to predictions for an eventful season with lots of snow, record-breaking cold temperatures, a few “significant weather disturbances” across the country, and an active storm pattern throughout the eastern half of the country. While retail facilities managers are certainly capable of a lot,…

According to McKinsey, outsourcing services now make up more than half of the total facilities management market in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Various models exist within the market, and not all facilities management solutions are created equal. The report goes on to say, “Companies that track emerging trends and invest in the right organizational capabilities will be…

Just as with anything in facilities management, when it comes to mitigating the impact of the winter season, taking a preventative approach is always the best — allowing facilities managers to avoid issues before they lead to costly repairs, customer issues, lost product, and threats to personal safety. We spoke with Brendan McGael, Snow Manager for City US and seasoned…

(Updated January 25, 2024) With COVID-19’s lasting impact on consumer habits and expectations, grocery retailers have had to make significant changes over the past several years, forcing facilities management leaders to adapt and innovate as needed. It turns out this was valuable experience — as we emerge into the post-pandemic era, it’s clear there are only more changes on the…

From keeping up with the latest consumer expectations to managing net zero legislation standards, grocery retailers have enough challenges as it is threatening their profitability to let grocery shrink cut significantly into their bottom line. This makes shrink reduction increasingly critical for facilities managers in the grocery space. Keep reading to learn some of the most cutting-edge shrink reduction strategies…

With technology evolving at a rapid pace, facilities management is quickly transforming into a less labor-intensive and more efficient industry. But with so much change and a confusing market for solutions, how do you know which facility management software is the right fit for your company’s needs? Keep reading for some insights into this hot topic. FM Software: The Challenges…

As a facilities leader, you understand better than anyone that choosing the right facilities provider or facilities management company for your organization is a high-stakes proposition. While budget pressures will push cost reduction high on your list of requirements, you know you don’t want lower pricing to come at the expense of quality, reliability, and staying competitive. You’re also aware…

(Updated January 18, 2024) Stepping into 2024 against the lingering impact of the pandemic, convenience store operators are displaying a resilience and commitment to innovation and adaptability. After all, with rapidly evolving consumer expectations, the rise of EVs and other sustainability initiatives, and continued inflation — which rose by 0.3% in December 2023, making it 3.4% higher than the previous year…

(Updated January 19, 2024) Strategies that help brands adapt to rapidly changing customer behaviors and sustainability-driven market forces are at the forefront of the latest retail construction trends. While COVID-19 is officially behind us, its impact on the retail industry lingers. “Retailers saw an acceleration of existing trends due to the pandemic and I think we’ll continue to see rapid…

The Internet of Things, or IoT for short, is a hot topic in the retail industry — and for good reason. By connecting devices and machines to the internet, IoT solutions for retailers can collect vast amounts of data that can be used to improve efficiency and make better decisions about everything from predictive equipment maintenance to customer experience.  How…

When it comes to sustainable refrigeration, natural refrigerants are attracting most of the attention. But while grocery and superstore retailers must work toward transitioning to natural refrigerants to meet stricter federal and state regulations, it’s an expensive and complex proposition that requires a long-term strategy.   Fortunately, there are additional actions grocers can take right now to make refrigeration more sustainable,…

As energy prices rise, business and facilities management leaders need an effective energy management plan to help minimize the impact on profitability. Depending on your industry and location, energy costs can take a significant chunk out of your bottom line. Moreover, businesses face increasing pressures from consumers and governments to reduce their impact on climate change by lowering their greenhouse…

It seems like only yesterday that American retailers were forced to make significant changes to the way they do business thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, they’re about to see the retail landscape altered forever again: In light of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which offers (along with other historic legislation) uncapped tax credits for clean energy reform and has…

Can ultrasound technology, a type of predictive maintenance technology, really detect equipment failures before they happen? That’s the question City US facilities management leaders set out to answer recently when they conducted a series of grocery store pilots to test SOUNDTech+ ultrasound technology, the City branded predictive maintenance tool powered by DST. Based on the results of the 10-month pilot,…

Massive power outages. Catastrophic flooding. Extreme heat and cold. U.S. homes and businesses suffered an estimated $169 billion in economic losses from both named and unnamed storms in 2021, according to the AON Weather, Climate and Catastrophe Report. The most recent five years (2017–2021) averaged nearly 18 weather disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion — compared to about 8…

Maintenance may not be sexy, but facilities management leaders know it’s the key to increasing uptime for critical assets and equipment — delivering savings straight to your company’s bottom line. To cut repair costs and avoid losing revenue when essential equipment goes down, savvy facilities managers can focus on these five steps below to maximize equipment uptime. What is equipment…

With 633 stores, fuel stations, offices and distribution centers, this supermarket retailer accounts for 0.3% of the UK’s total electricity consumption. Our collaborative approach to the design and delivery of sustainable facilities management actively supports their financial and sustainability goals. Together, we are reducing their costs, emissions and energy consumption. City have worked in partnership with the retailer for over…

These days, grocery store owners are facing a slew of emerging challenges — like inflation, rising food prices, changing customer preferences, cyberthreats, new omnichannel competitors, and more. With so many factors impacting the bottom line, reducing product loss — also known as shrinkage — is increasingly important for grocers.  Read on to learn why inventory shrink harms grocery stores and…

(Updated June 2023) Flooding, structural damage, and fallen power lines are only a few of the potential risks retail stores can face in the event of a hurricane, leading not only to product and revenue losses but also the inability to provide essential items to the communities they serve. Even a small tropical storm can have devastating effects. However, by…

As the world passes the second anniversary of the COVID-19 shutdown, businesses are optimistic as they are starting to recover from the pandemic. While most regions have largely adjusted to living with, and now moving past, the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, disruptions continue to impact people and businesses in more ways than one. Like the majority of businesses, City…

Snowstorms can cause significant issues for stores, from widespread power outages to blocking entrances and exits to sheets of ice covering the parking lots. When sudden weather hits and stores are shut down behind inches of snow, it is up to the store’s maintenance team or vendor to help keep stores and their technology up and running. On average, the…

Even successful supermarkets, with a steady stream of customers every day and a reliable source of cash flow, have to work hard to make ends meet financially. The market is competitive, and costs are always high, so it can be extraordinarily difficult to consistently make a profit. A typical 40,000-square foot grocery store in the United States can spend over…

For just about any organization, energy efficiency should be a key goal. The beauty of focusing on more efficient energy is that it benefits everyone involved – businesses can improve their budgeting strategies by cutting down on wasted resources, and Mother Earth will be appreciative as well, as reducing pollution is always a key objective. Better energy policy is a…