by Brianna Crandall — April 10, 2013—The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM), the authority on retail, multisite facilities management, released on April 3 its 2013 Best Practices book of retail facilities management case studies and white papers, intended to guide retail FMs as their role becomes increasingly strategic in nature. The book informs the industry on how to strategically improve the bottom line at retail stores, by driving efficiencies through effective retail facilities maintenance.
This year’s compilation includes content from more than 30 retailers, including adidas America, Big Lots Stores, Car Toys Inc., Dollar Tree Inc., Gap Inc., Mastermind LC (or Mastermind Toys), Nike Inc., PETCO Animal Supplies Inc., Staples Inc. Canada, The Home Depot, Rite Aid Corporation and The Pantry, reflecting grocery, convenience store, apparel, and furniture retail market segments, from big- to small-box format.
Noted in this year’s edition, issued to attendees of PRSM2013 National Conference, in Dallas, Texas, is evidence of the maturing of recent trends, for example in more widespread use of energy-efficient lighting. Examples of lighting retrofits in this edition demonstrate how retailers have moved from testing to implementing large-scale projects, with documented, positive results. The same is true with their ongoing experimentation with mobile technologies, especially creating efficiencies in their field service operations.
The 2013 compilation separates content into three sections:
- Section 1: Maintenance—Building Automation Systems; Code and Regulations; Doors, Locks and Keys; Electrical and Lighting; Emergency Preparedness; Fire Protection; Floor Care, Janitorial; Landscaping and Grounds; Pest Control; Roofing, Security; Sustainability; Utilities and Energy Efficiency; and Waste and Recycling
- Section 2: Management—Business Practices, Strategies; Budgets, Finance and Metrics; Vendor Management; Technology
- Section 3: White Papers—A Practical and Sustainable Strategy for Retail Roof Management; Dealing with Flood Water: Contaminated Buildings and Merchandise; KPI Applications in Retail Facilities Management; and Snow and Ice Management Best Practices
“This installment of the Best Practices book acknowledges that our members are playing more strategic roles in the retail FM business,” said Patricia Dameron, Executive Director, PRSM Association. “From guidance on budgeting and managing assets and the total cost of ownership, retail facilities managers are increasingly removed from the day-to-day workings of maintain and repair. This publication is a peer-to-peer handbook to help guide industry professionals as their roles become more strategic.”
PRSM Association’s 2013 Best Practices book is available in a limited print edition and online from the group’s Resources Center, which provides a variety of management tools for the retail FM and the vendor supplier community including white papers, a benchmarking program, trends reports, buyers’ guides, the group’s bi-monthly magazine and weekly newsletter, and more.
