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Our Secret to Mastering (Open) Store Remodels & Relocations

Renovating or remodeling a store while keeping it open is no easy feat. But it’s essential to keep things running smoothly without sacrificing sales. So, how can you pull it off without causing chaos?


Keeping the store open is absolutely crucial because it:


  • Keeps the money flowing: revenue doesn’t take a hit.

  • Maintains customer loyalty: regulars keep coming back.

  • Provides a smooth transition: a better store environment with no downtime.


However, if not managed well, it can lead to financial loss, unhappy customers, and total mayhem.


Remodels and relocations have their own set of unique challenges:


  • Guard coverage issues: ensuring safety during construction.

  • Unfamiliar tradespeople: workers not used to the space.

  • Cleanliness and maintenance: issues like tradespeople misusing customer facilities.


Remodels and relocations are a whole different ballgame compared to opening a new store.


Rushing things overnight or shutting the store completely often leads to:


  • Burnout and inconsistency: hasty work and uneven progress.

  • Lost revenue: sales and customer loyalty suffer.

  • Operational disruption: confusing for both staff and customers.


At KRCrossing, we’ve mastered a method to balance renovation and operation seamlessly. Here’s how we do it.


Our Approach: Smooth and Efficient Remodels and Relocations


1. Partial Remodels

We divide the store into sections with temporary walls. Work on one side while the other stays open. Once finished, we switch sides. This keeps sales going while upgrading the store.




2. Effective Communication

Keeping everyone in the loop is key:


  • Daily updates: store management stays informed.

  • Nightly handover: ensuring the store is ready each morning.

  • Stakeholder alignment: everyone from staff to subcontractors stays on the same page.


3. Custom Scheduling

We adapt our schedules to the store’s peak and off-peak hours. Major work happens during quieter times to reduce customer inconvenience and maintain a pleasant shopping experience. By understanding the store's busiest times, we can plan our work to minimize impact on daily operations.


4. Resource Management

We use experienced tradespeople familiar with the retail environment. Proper planning and resource allocation prevent common issues like:


  • Guard coverage: safety during overnight work.

  • Cleanliness: the store remains clean despite ongoing construction.


We place the right people in the right roles at the right time, maintaining safety and cleanliness standards. This attention to detail keeps the store functional and welcoming throughout the remodel.


Real-World Success: Sephora and Lululemon


We’ve successfully applied these strategies with big names like Sephora and Lululemon. Each project demonstrated the importance of minimizing disruptions, maintaining revenue, and ensuring a smooth transition.




Sephora Projects

For Sephora, we managed several remodels, including three-month projects that required meticulous planning and execution. Our partial remodel strategy allowed Sephora to continue operations, protecting their revenue and customer loyalty.


Lululemon Projects

With Lululemon, we handled relocations and expansions, such as the project in East Hampton. This required careful planning and execution over nine weeks, ensuring a timely transition without disrupting the Grand Opening.


Your Turn: Implementing These Strategies


  1. Start by assessing your current remodel processes.

  2. Identify potential disruptions and plan for partial remodels if possible.

  3. Prioritize communication and resource management to ensure a smooth transition.

  4. The goal is to enhance the customer experience without compromising sales or operations.


At KRCrossing, we believe that with the right strategies, store remodels and relocations can be a smooth experience. Let’s build better and smarter—together.


Happy remodeling, 


Michele and the KRCrossing Team 

KRCrossing Consulting

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