COVID-19 Cleaning Study Reveals What Consumers Think About Reopening

6/19/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.

The coronavirus pandemic has ushered in a new perspective as we all strive to get back to work, get back out, and get back to business. As we move toward this new normal, it’s hard to know just what your customers expect, and what you need to do as a business owner to make them feel comfortable about visiting your storefront again.

To find out more about what both consumers and employees are feeling as they fall back into their normal routines, SERVPRO^® commissioned a survey to learn more about how consumer attitudes and expectations of cleanliness in regards to COVID-19 are affecting their decisions.

A new era of clean

The results confirmed that we’re entering into a new era of expectation of cleanliness for businesses. More than 80 percent of respondents said businesses need to be more aggressive now than before COVID-19 when it comes to cleaning. The cleaning protocols in place before COVID-19 hit will not be sufficient in today’s environment. In fact, a full 71 percent have higher cleanliness expectations for businesses than in their own homes.

Individuals continue to be nervous when going out, with nearly 70 percent saying they’re thinking about avoiding COVID-19 exposure constantly when they’re out in public. This statistic gives a unique insight into consumers’ awareness level about the potential dangers that may exist when they go out, and their intense desire to avoid them. As business owners, putting proper cleaning and disinfection measures in place, and communicating that you’ve done so, is necessary to help inspire confidence that will help consumers become more willing to visit.

Beyond that, 76 percent of survey respondents said the way a business addresses cleanliness during COVID-19 is a good indicator of how well that business is run in general. So, it’s important to note that consumers are paying attention. They’re taking into account the level you’re going to in order to protect them now, and they’ll remember that in the future.

The level of clean, matters

There’s no shortage of anxiety when it comes to coronavirus, and nearly 60 percent reported they’re specifically worried about catching COVID-19 from touching surfaces or objects that haven’t been cleaned sufficiently. And the person doing the cleaning makes a difference in the minds of consumers.

When all else is equal (product, price, service, convenience), 64 percent said they are more likely to shop at a business with a decal indicating professional cleaning, versus a store without such a decal.

So, how do you set yourself apart and inspire confidence with your customers now?

Certified cleaning program

Our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program is the answer. With a tailored cleaning program that is customized for your business needs, our expertly trained staff cleans and decontaminates your property according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards.

We use EPA-approved cleaning solutions, including our proprietary cleaning agent SERVPROXIDE, a hospital-grade disinfectant that is NSF certified for direct food contact surface use.

As a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned participant, you’ll provide reassurance to your customers and employees that you’re taking all the steps needed to get the highest level of clean for them. This dedication will be on display through a decal window emblem, and other digital marks to show your commitment to clean.

*Proprietary study prepared by Message Factors, Inc. Results are based on experiences and perceptions of 1,000 consumers surveyed May 2020.