Store Opening and Closing Checklist

Look for slip-and-trip hazards, leaks, broken fixtures, burned-out bulbs, and any overnight damage. Photograph anything that needs a maintenance ticket and route to facilities before doors open.

Check rear doors, glass, and the EAS gates for tampering. If you see signs of forced entry or missing merchandise, do not disturb the area — escalate to LP and the district manager before continuing the open.

Use the LP incident form (Verkada/Solink clip attached if available). Notify the district manager by phone, not email, and preserve the scene until LP releases it.

Count each drawer to the start-of-shift float (typically $200) in the cash office, two-person rule. Variance over $1 should be flagged on the open log before assigning the drawer to a cashier.

Run a $0.01 test transaction on each EMV/NFC reader and void it. Catches dead pinpads and Stripe Terminal/Heartland connectivity issues before the first customer.

Look for no-sales, voids, post-voids, and refunds over $50. Anything unusual gets noted in the open log so the DM sees it on the morning roll-up.

Compare end-caps and feature tables to this week's POG. Photograph any drift; refold tables to the standard fold and re-pin sale signage that has come loose.

Pull the overnight replenishment list from the inventory system (Lightspeed/Cin7) and fill holes on high-velocity SKUs before doors open. Empty pegs on advertised items are a conversion killer.

Walk a hard-tagged sample through the Sensormatic/Checkpoint gates from both directions. Silent failures are common after overnight power events; this is a 30-second check that prevents an entire day of unprotected merchandise.

Use the PA at each interval. Customers who hear only the 5-minute notice tend to feel rushed and complain; the 30/15/5 cadence is the industry standard for a reason.

Check every room for left-behind items, store-credit slips, and empty hangers (a shoplifting indicator). Re-hang returns to the floor or stage for tomorrow's restock.

Walk the floor, restrooms, and back-of-house before locking the front door. Lock the door from inside; do not lock customers in with you.

X-report shows current totals without closing the day. Use it to confirm transactions tie to drawer before the cashier counts down.

Pull the cashier's transaction journal: look for missed voids, mis-keyed tenders, or refund anomalies. Document the cause in the close log; repeated variances on the same cashier go to LP for a sweethearting review.

Use a tamper-evident deposit bag; record the bag serial number in the deposit register. Drop in the safe (or take to bank night-drop per store policy — never carry alone after dark).

Spot-check the Verkada/Solink dashboard for offline cameras. A camera that has been dark for a week is the one that fails you when you need it.

Two-person exit per LP policy. Wait at the door until the panel confirms armed before stepping out.