- Owner
- Store Manager
- Effective date
- September 15, 2026
- Review cycle
- Every 12 months
1.Purpose
To open the store safely and consistently every day, with the building secured, registers verified, and the sales floor ready before customers arrive.
2.Scope
Applies to the daily opening routine for retail store locations, including building safety checks, cash handling, and sales floor preparation. Overnight stocking and merchandising resets are covered by separate SOPs.
Definitions
- Float
- The fixed starting amount of cash placed in a register drawer before transactions begin.
- Keyholder
- An employee trusted with keys and the alarm code, authorized to open or close the store.
3.Responsibilities
- Store Manager
- Owns the opening SOP, reviews the manager log, and makes the final call on any safety concern before the store opens.
- Assistant Store Manager
- Arrives first, checks the building is safe to enter, and leads the opening walk-through and staff briefing.
- Sales Associate
- Preps the sales floor, checks pricing and signage, and greets the first customers of the day.
- Cashier
- Counts and verifies the starting cash float at each register before the doors open.
RACI matrix
| Activity | Store Manager | Assistant Store Manager | Sales Associate | Cashier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlock and safety-check the building | I | R/A | - | - |
| Count register floats | I | C | - | R/A |
| Set up sales floor for opening | I | C | R/A | - |
| Brief staff before doors open | A | R | I | I |
| Unlock front doors on schedule | I | R/A | I | I |
R = Responsible, A = Accountable, C = Consulted, I = Informed
4.Materials and PPE
Materials, tools and systems
- →POS terminals and cash drawers
- →Store opening checklist
- →Alarm system control panel and code
- →Manager log book or shared log
- →Two-way radios or store messaging app
- →Price label printer
5.Procedure
- 5.1
Arrive and check the building
Assistant Store ManagerThe assistant store manager arrives at the scheduled time, checks the exterior for signs of forced entry or vandalism, and only unlocks the door if the building looks secure.
Warning: If a door, window, or lock looks tampered with, do not enter. Call the store manager and local police from outside first.
- 5.2
Disarm the alarm and turn on lights
Assistant Store ManagerEnter the code to disarm the security system within the required window, then switch on sales floor, stockroom, and exterior lighting and turn on background music.
- 5.3
Walk the interior for safety hazards
Assistant Store ManagerWalk every aisle, the stockroom, and restrooms to check for spills, blocked exits, or anything unsafe before other staff or customers enter the building.
Checkpoint: No hazards, unlocked emergency exits, or unexpected persons are found before staff are let in.
- 5.4
Let staff in and review the log
Store ManagerLet scheduled associates in through the staff entrance and review the manager log for notes from the previous shift, including price changes, callouts, or unresolved issues.
- 5.5
Power on POS terminals
CashierTurn on all POS terminals and payment devices, confirm they connect to the network, and log in with individual employee credentials.
- 5.6
Count and verify register floats
CashierCount the starting cash float at each register against the assigned float amount and initial the count sheet before any transactions are rung.
Checkpoint: Each float matches the assigned starting amount exactly, and any shortage is reported to the store manager immediately.
- 5.7
Check overnight deliveries
Sales AssociateCheck the stockroom for any deliveries that arrived overnight, confirm the count against the packing slip, and move perishable or high-theft items to secure storage.
- 5.8
Prep the sales floor
Sales AssociateStraighten fixtures, restock overnight recovery items, and remove any packaging or trash left from the previous close so the floor is customer-ready.
- 5.9
Confirm pricing and promo signage
Sales AssociateCheck that current sale signage matches the POS pricing for featured items and remove any signage for promotions that have already ended.
Warning: Mismatched signage and register prices are a common cause of customer complaints and price disputes.
- 5.10
Hold the opening huddle
Store ManagerGather available staff for a short huddle to cover the day's promotions, staffing gaps, and any manager log items before the doors open.
- 5.11
Complete the opening checklist
Assistant Store ManagerWork through the printed or digital opening checklist item by item and sign off once every task on it is complete.
- 5.12
Unlock the doors on schedule
Store ManagerUnlock the front entrance at the posted opening time, turn on the open sign, and stage a greeter near the entrance for the first customers.
Checkpoint: Doors open within five minutes of the posted opening time.
6.Quality checks
- →Opening checklist is signed off by a manager or keyholder every day before doors open.
- →Register floats match the assigned starting amount with zero unexplained variances.
- →Sales floor recovery and signage are complete before the posted opening time.
- →Any building safety concern found at opening is logged and resolved the same day.
7.Records
- →Signed daily opening checklist
- →Register float count sheet
- →Manager log with handoff notes
8.KPIs
- →Percentage of days doors open within five minutes of posted time
- →Register float variances per week
- →Opening checklist completion rate
9.Common mistakes
- →Unlocking the door before finishing the exterior safety check.
- →Skipping the float count and starting transactions without verifying starting cash.
- →Leaving expired promotional signage up after a sale ends.
- →Letting associates in before the interior hazard walk is finished.
10.Revision history
| Revision | Date | Description | Reviewed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | September 15, 2026 | Initial release | Alexa Uskova |
This is a template. Adapt it to your organization, equipment and local regulations before use.
