Store Opening: the full procedure

Get the store safely unlocked, systems live, and the till funded so the doors open on time, ready to sell.

• Applies to: All store associates; opener (key-holder) leads.
• Frequency: Every opening shift, before public hours.
• Scope: Covers unlock-to-ready-to-open prep. Any sign of overnight break-in or tampering defers to the police-and-manager call-out plan — do not enter.

What you need

• Store keys/fob
• Alarm code
• POS terminal
• Cash float & count sheet
• Opening checklist

The procedure, step by step

1. Approach & assess — Before unlocking, scan the entry, windows, and doors for damage or tampering; if anything looks forced, do not enter — call the manager and police.
2. Disarm & secure entry — Unlock, disarm the alarm within the grace window, and re-lock the door behind you until open time so no one wanders in early.
3. Lights & systems on — Switch on lights, HVAC, music, and signage, and confirm phones and back-office equipment power up.
4. Floor & restroom walkthrough — Walk the full floor and restrooms checking for spills, hazards, and burnt-out bulbs, and confirm displays are tidy and undamaged.
5. Boot & test the POS — Power on the POS and card terminal, log in, confirm network/printer, and run a test or no-sale to verify it rings and prints.
6. Count the float — Count the opening cash float against the standard starting amount, log it on the count sheet, and enter the float in the POS.
7. Stock & stage checkout — Restock bags, receipt paper, and supplies, and clear the counter so the first customer can be served fast.
8. Final ready check & unlock — Run the opening checklist top to bottom, then unlock the doors and flip the sign exactly at open time.

Quality check before you finish

• Alarm disarmed; no signs of overnight entry.
• Opening float counted and logged to the standard amount.
• POS and card terminal boot, ring, and print a test.
• Lights, HVAC, music, and signage all on.
• Floor and restrooms clean, safe, and hazard-free.
• Bags, receipt paper, and counter supplies stocked.
• Doors unlocked and sign flipped at the posted open time.

This is a free, source-anchored standard operating procedure (SOP) you can print and hand to staff. It documents the work sequence for a Small Retail Store business — not safety or regulatory rulings, which defer to the cited authorities, the applicable code, and your own health-and-safety plan. Open the tool above to print it, toggle ink-saver, or (with a free ToolFluency Business account) edit it to match your own workflow.

Sources

• Shopify — Store Opening & Closing Tasks (shopify.com)
• Lightspeed — Daily Store Opening Checklist (lightspeedhq.com)