Store Opening and Closing Checklist

Daily opening and closing routine for a brick-and-mortar retail store, covering cash handling, POS readiness, visual standards, and security lockup. Run by the opening manager at start-of-day and the closing manager at end-of-day.

6 sections 28 steps Collects data
1

Pre-Open Walkthrough

  1. Disarm the alarm and unlock back-of-house
  2. Confirm opening staff against the schedule
  3. Walk the sales floor for safety hazards

    • 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.

  4. Log any overnight damage or break-in indicators

    • 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.

    Collects list
  5. File an LP incident report and notify the DM

    • 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.

    Collects paragraph Collects file
2

Cash and POS Readiness

  1. Pull tills from the safe and verify floats

    • 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.

    Collects number
  2. Boot POS terminals and confirm card reader connectivity

    • 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.

  3. Confirm receipt paper and bag stock at every register
  4. Review yesterday's Z-report exceptions

    • 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.

3

Floor and Visual Standards

  1. Walk the current planogram for drift

    • 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.

    Collects file
  2. Stage replenishment from the stockroom

    • 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.

  3. Verify fitting rooms are cleared and stocked
  4. Test EAS gates with a tagged item

    • 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.

  5. Unlock the front door and flip the sign to open
4

Pre-Close Wind Down

  1. Announce closing at 30, 15, and 5 minutes

    • 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.

  2. Refold tables and reface the wall
  3. Clear fitting rooms and re-hang returns

    • 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.

  4. Verify the last customer has exited

    • 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.

5

Cash Reconciliation and Deposit

  1. Run X-report on each register

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

  2. Count each drawer down to the start-of-shift float
    Collects number Collects signature
  3. Investigate any drawer over or short above $5

    • 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.

    Collects paragraph
  4. Run Z-report and close the POS day
  5. Bag, seal, and log the deposit

    • 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).

    Collects text
6

Security and Lockup

  1. Confirm rear and stockroom doors are locked
  2. Verify CCTV is recording on all channels

    • 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.

  3. Power down floor lighting and non-essential electronics
  4. Arm the burglar alarm and exit

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

  5. Submit the closing report to the DM
    Collects number Collects signature Collects paragraph

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Sections 6
Steps 28
Category Retail
Price Free to start
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