Getting store hours right is not as easy as it seems. Many places have ‘posted’ hours, but these can be very different from the actual hours. Field visits are probably the best way to check store hours.
Arrive at Different Times
While one visit to a store can provide confirmation of whether they are open or not, hours for opening and closing vary. In order to accurately establish store hours, operatives visit a variety of stores at different times throughout the day.
Photograph the Door Signage
A photograph of the printed hours sign on the door (or other local notice) is taken and these images are timestamped so that it is clear what was displayed on a given date.
Note What the Listing Says
Differences can also exist between online listings (e.g. Google Business) and a store’s physical door sign. In these instances, the differences are logged and the listing is updated as necessary to reflect the correct opening times for a store.
Check for Seasonal or Reduced Hours
Some stores will reduce their opening hours temporarily, especially during bank holidays, school breaks or when it is quiet. This may not always be up to date on central databases. Field agents look for temporary changes to opening hours and record them separately so they can be updated as necessary.
Record Temporary Closures
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This is perhaps more important than it sounds and can only be checked by a field visit.