Resources

Blog

2023 Facilities Management Trends

May 2, 2023

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…

READ MORE

Blog

Low GWP Refrigerants: What Supermarkets Should Know

April 10, 2023

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…

READ MORE

Blog

Smart Building Technologies for Grocery Stores: What Facilities Managers Should Know

March 13, 2023

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?…

READ MORE

Blog

Reactive Maintenance vs. Preventive Maintenance vs. Predictive Maintenance

January 18, 2023

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,…

READ MORE

Blog

6 Elements of a Successful Preventive Maintenance Program

January 12, 2023

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…

READ MORE

Blog

How to Manage a Convenience Store

January 10, 2023

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…

READ MORE

Blog

Outsourcing Facilities Management Pros & Cons

January 5, 2023

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…

READ MORE

Blog

Winter Storm Preparation for Facilities Managers

December 22, 2022

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,…

READ MORE

Blog

What Is Integrated Facilities Management?

December 20, 2022

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…

READ MORE

Blog

Winter Checklist for Facilities Managers

December 13, 2022

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…

READ MORE

Blog

4 Grocery Trends Facilities Management Leaders Should Know for 2023

December 8, 2022

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…

READ MORE

Blog

4 Grocery Shrink Reduction Strategies

December 6, 2022

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…

READ MORE

Blog

Must-Have Facility Management Software Tools

December 1, 2022

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…

READ MORE

Blog

Guide to Hiring a Facilities Management Company: 10 Things to Know

November 29, 2022

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…

READ MORE

Blog

4 Convenience Store Trends to Grow Your Business in 2023

November 24, 2022

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…

READ MORE

Blog

5 Retail Construction Trends for 2023

November 22, 2022

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…

READ MORE

Blog

IoT Solutions for Retail: What Facilities Leaders Should Know

November 17, 2022

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…

READ MORE

Blog

3 Steps to Sustainable Refrigeration Management for Grocery Retailers

November 15, 2022

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,…

READ MORE

Blog

How to Create an Energy Management Plan in 7 Steps

November 1, 2022

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…

READ MORE

Blog

Sustainability in Retail: 4 Trends to Jump On in 2023

October 25, 2022

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…

READ MORE

Blog

3 Cost-Saving Benefits of Predictive Maintenance Technology

October 20, 2022

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,…

READ MORE

Blog

Retail Store Storm Recovery Best Practices

October 17, 2022

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…

READ MORE

Blog

5 Ways to Boost Equipment Uptime and Protect Assets

October 13, 2022

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…

READ MORE

Blog

Energy Case Study: Delivering Sustainable Energy Solutions

September 13, 2022

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…

READ MORE

Blog

The Easiest Way for Grocers to Reduce Shrinkage

September 12, 2022

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…

READ MORE

Blog

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist for Facilities Managers

July 19, 2022

(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…

READ MORE

Blog

Looking Ahead After the COVID-19 Pandemic

May 12, 2022

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…

READ MORE
Empty grocery store aisle

Blog

How City Tackles Your Snow Problem: The 2021-2022 Snow Season

March 29, 2022

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…

READ MORE
Vehicles covered in snow

Blog

Finding Short – And Long – Term Solutions for Managing Energy Costs

January 2, 2022

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…

READ MORE

Blog

3 Steps For Developing An Improved Energy Efficiency Strategy

December 27, 2021

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…

READ MORE