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Lessen | Blog

Why Managed Maintenance Is Becoming the New Norm in Retail

Posted by Menno Enters on 11/8/17 5:13 PM

Many national retailers started small and grew their store’s footprint over time. However, as portfolios grow and locations age, the need for maintenance becomes exponential. Over time, this growth and aging exceeds a retailer’s ability to keep up, so they add a head count and consolidate vendors. In this situation, we see that the growth pace outruns the ability to hire, which creates new problems. 

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4 Questions to See if You’re Setting Your Business Up for a Bleak Winter

Posted by Shannon Kenny on 9/6/17 3:31 PM

The best companies stay ahead of the curve by predicting and preparing for the worst. The winter is inevitable, so a pragmatic and effective snow removal plan during the season should also be on ice. Before it’s too late, ask yourself the following questions:

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Making Foodservice Repairs and Maintenance Convenient

Posted by Nate Manning on 8/8/17 4:39 PM

As competition rises among convenience stores, retailers have been on the lookout for the perfect opportunity to tie-the-knot with the foodservice industry. Traditional convenience stores may offer a smaller variety of accessible snacks for consumers on the move. However, adding fresh, made-to-order products, ready-to-eat sandwiches and salads to their inventory will give consumers an added reason to shop their brand.

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Industry Snapshot: Facilities Management Mobile Technology in Retail

Posted by Guy Edasis on 7/13/17 1:54 PM

At SMS Assist, the retailers we work with see the benefits of integrating mobile technology into their FM tasks every day, but where does the rest of the industry stand? How do retailers from around the country feel about the adoption of mobile technology into their facilities maintenance workflow?

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SMS Assist Featured in Retail & Restaurant Facility Business

Posted by Elisabeth Klisser on 5/12/17 9:54 AM

Our VP of Business Development for SMS Assist, Sean Hartnett, was recently featured in Retail & Restaurant Facility Business magazine. His article, Transparent Data Strategy, dives into the importance of using FM data and transparency to drive results like improved customer experience and bottom line.

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5 Ways a Reactive HVAC Replacement Plan is Hurting Your Budget

Posted by Menno Enters on 5/2/17 4:36 PM

Any retailer knows that in-store temperature matters a great deal to customers due to its affect on their overall shopping experience. Imagine trying on new clothes while perspiring in your dressing room or browsing a store while shivering. Retailers are privy to the fact that most heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) equipment breaks down at the worst imaginable times. Situations like these are caused when the equipment’s performance is stretched to its limits during extreme heat or cold and your asset falls short.

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What Retailers Need to Know About Switching to All LED Lighting

Posted by Cindy Kaplan on 4/12/17 4:38 PM

For the average person, lighting is no big deal. Flip a switch. Change a burnt out bulb. That's about it. It's a completely different story for retailers, where lighting literally sets the stage, the mood, and even focuses customer attention on predetermined locations and products.

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3 Ways That Asset Management Improves Your Bottom Line

Posted by Guy Edasis on 3/30/17 12:26 PM

The long-term value proposition of asset management combines asset optimization, strategic decision making and a higher return on investment. In the narrowest sense, it monitors costs and supports peak asset performance. Broadly, it facilitates vital document storage and accessibility, maintenance and repair cost management, vendor management and regulatory compliance.

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Internet of Things: Retail’s Newest Watchdog

Posted by Cindy Kaplan on 3/15/17 10:22 AM

The Internet of Things is transforming the in-store experience. From smart thermostats that improve energy use, to smart shelves that detect low inventory, the entire retail experience is going through a transformation. These upcoming advances in technology can also help mitigate risk down the road.

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Three 5-Star Ways Store Manager Feedback Can Improve Your Business

Posted by Elisabeth Klisser on 2/23/17 10:25 AM

 We’ve entered an era where ratings rule. Whether it’s a Yelp review of a restaurant or a driver’s score on Lyft, consumers are now accustomed to having the instant satisfaction of applauding excellent service with five stars and reporting bad service with less. In fact, 62% of businesses now use a customer experience analytics reporting system (Deloitte).

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