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In the transition to a post-COVID world, the grocery store industry has its work cut out for itself. Not only are sales falling short of projections now that consumers are no longer confined to their homes, but unprecedented inflation, labor shortages, supply chain issues, and stricter net zero legislation bring additional challenges. This all adds up to increased pressure on…

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…

With COVID-19’s impact on consumer habits and expectations, grocery retailers have had to make significant changes over the past three 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 horizon for grocers in 2023 and…

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…

With the COVID-19 pandemic’s unique impact on convenience store retailers, it’s been difficult over the past couple of years to predict even the next quarter — let alone begin investing in long-term business strategies. But the industry has not only started to level out in 2022, it’s actually starting to look up, largely thanks to c-store operators’ willingness to innovate…

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. “Retailers saw an acceleration of existing trends due to the pandemic and I think we’ll continue to see rapid change as a permanent characteristic of the market,” said Bill Lawrence, Vice President of Program Management at…

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…