Use this for routine inspections of retail stores of any size. Walk it the way a shopper does: the entry and windows first, then the sales floor, fitting rooms, checkout, and restrooms. Back-of-house areas come last. Every item is something you can see, so two inspectors should reach the same answer.
48 items in 8 areas, 5 marked critical. Free to print and use.
Entry doors and handles free of smudges and fingerprints
Storefront windows free of streaks and fingerprints on the inside
Walk-off mats clean, flat, and not curling at the edges
Entry floor free of grit, salt, and footprintsCritical
Basket stands and cart handles wiped, if the store uses them
Vestibule and outside entry free of litter, if in scope
Trash emptied, liners replaced
Sales floor
Item
Pass
Fail
Aisles swept and mopped, including along fixture bases
Floor free of spills and sticky spotsCritical
Carpeted areas vacuumed edge to edge
Fixtures and shelf edges dusted, with merchandise left in place
Glass display cases free of fingerprints
Mirrors free of streaks and spots
Trash emptied, liners replaced
Fitting rooms
Item
Pass
Fail
Floors vacuumed or mopped, including corners
Mirrors free of streaks, spots, and fingerprints
Benches, hooks, and door handles wiped
Loose tags, pins, and trash picked up, with merchandise left for staff
Curtains hanging straight, with no visible stains
Checkout area
Item
Pass
Fail
Counters wiped around registers and bagging areas
Card readers and counter shields wiped with the product the store specifies
Floor behind the counter swept and free of debris
Queue line fixtures and stanchions wiped
Trash and recycling emptied at each register
Restrooms
Item
Pass
Fail
Toilets and urinals clean inside and out, including the baseCritical
Sinks, faucets, and counters clean and dry
Mirrors free of streaks and spots
Soap, paper towels, and toilet paper stockedCritical
Floor clean, including corners and behind fixtures
No odorCritical
Baby changing station wiped
Trash and sanitary bins emptied, liners replaced
Stockroom and back of house
Item
Pass
Fail
Open floor areas swept, with stock left in place
Back hallways free of debris and spills
Trash and cardboard taken out as the store instructs
Receiving door area swept
Back office trash emptied and floor vacuumed
Janitor closet tidy, with the mop sink rinsed and mops hung to dry
Break room
Item
Pass
Fail
Counters and tables wiped
Sink clean, with no dishes left in it unless the store allows it
Microwave interior and exterior wiped
Refrigerator and appliance handles wiped
Trash and recycling emptied
Floor clean, with no sticky spots
Periodic work
Item
Pass
Fail
Vents, signs, and tops of fixtures dusted on schedule
Baseboards and fixture kick plates free of dust and scuffs
Carpet spots treated or reported
Floor burnishing and refinishing on schedule
Notes and follow-up
Tips for using this checklist
Inspect after the crew finishes and before the doors open. That is when the store manager does their own walk, so you see what they will see.
Agree with the store on what the crew may move to clean. Merchandise, displays, and signs belong to the store, and a knocked-over display turns into a complaint.
Ask for the store's calendar. Holiday sets, big sales, and inventory counts change what needs cleaning and when the crew can get in.
If the contract includes day service, add a midday check of the entry and restrooms. Those two areas show a busy day first.
Photograph failed items with a fixture or sign in the frame, so a district manager can find the spot without asking.
In JanGuard, a checklist like this becomes an inspection template. Inspectors score each item on their phone and add photos, and failed items become deficiencies your team fixes and verifies.