Signage is crucial in small business, especially in the small business retail sector.
Closed Sign
The other day I was shopping, and saw 
a small gift store with a "Closed" sign on the door in the middle of the day.
All the stores around were open. I had made a special trip to shop there, on the assumption that the store would be open.
The Unexpected Happens
Never mind. The unexpected sometimes happens. We all understand that. As customers are hard won in small business, and once won, you want to keep them, I got to thinking.
What Could The Store Owner Have Done Better?
To keep faith with customers and to communicate any unexpected (or planned) changes, perhaps the store owner could have
- indicated when she would reopen (e.g. if she was on vacation or if she would be back tomorrow)
- a personalized note in the window for customers or passers by
- delivered time sensitive lay aways to the neighboring store owner with a sign on the door indicating this to customers
- phoned the next door store to put a sign up on the outside of the window if she was unable to come in to do it herself
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