Before you start

• •All customers out of the building before close sequence begins
• •Drop safe or safe access

The procedure

Step-by-step, in order. Each step has the action and the reason it matters.

1. 1

   Last customer out — verbal confirmation, not assumption

   Walk every fitting room, bathroom, and back area with a verbal 'store is closed' announcement before locking the front. One remaining customer after lock-up creates a theft opportunity, a liability, and an embarrassing unlock.

2. 2

   Count the register — blind count before pulling the Z-report

   Count the drawer completely before running the Z-report. A blind count eliminates the temptation to 'make it match.' Record the blind count, then run the Z. Document any overage or shortage over $5. This is loss prevention, not blame.

3. 3

   Run end-of-day reports and close the POS

   Z-report + daily sales summary. Note any voids, returns, or overrides. If the POS is cloud-based, confirm the sync completes before closing the app — an unsaved session means a discrepancy tomorrow.

4. 4

   Safe drop — every bill over $20 goes in the safe

   All large bills ($50, $100) and excess $20s go in the drop safe at close. Leave only the next day's opening drawer amount in the register. Document: drop amount, denomination breakdown, time, dropper name. Two people present for drops over $500 if staffing allows.

5. 5

   Floor reset for tomorrow's open

   Restock and straighten every display. Any returns from today sorted and re-shelved or put in a hold area — not left on the returns counter for morning. A reset floor takes 15 minutes tonight and saves 45 minutes of morning panic.

6. 6

   Security check — fitting rooms locked, back door secured

   Every fitting room door locked open (not closed — closed fitting rooms can hide someone). Back door: verify it is locked from inside, confirm no prop-open situation. Check any secondary exits.

7. 7

   Lights off zone by zone, arm alarm, exit

   Lights off from the back forward. Set alarm, exit through designated door, and verify the door locks behind you. Do not re-enter after arming — if you forgot something, call the alarm company to disarm remotely or return tomorrow.

Verify when done

• ☐Fitting rooms and bathrooms cleared before locking
• ☐Blind count documented before Z-report
• ☐Safe drop documented with amount and names
• ☐Floor reset completed
• ☐Alarm set confirmed

Common mistakes

• ✕Running the Z-report before counting the drawer blind
• ✕Leaving fitting room doors closed instead of locked open
• ✕Not logging safe drop details
• ✕Leaving returns unsorted for the morning opener

Trainer notes

The blind count before the Z-report is the control that makes shrinkage visible. Skipping it 'to save time' removes the only check on accurate cash handling. Do it every night.

Common questions