How a Snowy Winter Can Affect Businesses in Edmonton, Alberta: A Guide by Gateway Builders

Edmonton, Alberta is known for its long, cold, and snowy winters. While the snowfall can create picturesque landscapes, it also presents significant challenges for businesses. At Gateway Builders, we specialize in commercial snow removal, and we understand how winter conditions can impact businesses across the city. From operational disruptions to safety concerns, a snowy winter can bring a host of challenges that affect a business’s bottom line.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the different ways a heavy winter can affect businesses in Edmonton and how proactive snow removal can help keep operations running smoothly.

1. Decreased Foot Traffic and Sales

Heavy snowfall and icy conditions can deter customers from visiting businesses. When sidewalks, parking lots, and entrances are covered in snow, customers may opt to stay home rather than risk navigating unsafe walkways. For retail businesses, restaurants, and service providers, this can result in reduced foot traffic and lower sales.

Impact on Small Businesses: Small businesses that rely on daily customer interactions can be particularly hard-hit during snowy winters. Fewer customers mean fewer sales, making it difficult to meet financial targets during the winter months.
Online Shopping Surge: Snowy conditions often push customers to shop online, further reducing in-store traffic. While this shift benefits e-commerce, it poses challenges for brick-and-mortar stores trying to maintain foot traffic.

2. Safety Risks and Liability Concerns

Snow and ice can create hazardous conditions for both employees and customers. Slippery sidewalks, icy parking lots, and snow-covered entrances increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls. For businesses, these accidents can lead to significant liability issues.

Slip-and-Fall Injuries: If a customer or employee is injured on your property due to unsafe conditions, your business could be held liable for medical costs, legal fees, and potential lawsuits. Preventing these injuries is critical for protecting your business from costly claims.
Health and Safety Regulations: Businesses in Edmonton are required to follow strict health and safety regulations, including clearing snow and ice from public walkways. Failing to comply with these regulations can result in fines and damage to your reputation.

3. Increased Operational Costs

A snowy winter brings additional operational costs that can strain a business’s budget. From snow removal services to increased heating bills, maintaining a safe and accessible business during the winter can be costly.

Snow Removal Expenses: Regular and timely snow removal is essential to keep your business open and accessible. For businesses with large parking lots or multiple entrances, hiring a commercial snow removal service like Gateway Builders is a necessary investment. Without professional help, the costs of snow removal can quickly add up, especially during heavy snowfall.
Utility Bills: Heating a commercial property during Edmonton’s frigid winter can significantly increase utility costs. Businesses often find themselves paying higher energy bills to keep their employees and customers warm.

4. Disruptions to Business Operations

Severe winter weather can disrupt daily business operations, leading to lost productivity and revenue.

Employee Attendance Issues: Heavy snowfall can make it difficult for employees to get to work. Road closures, icy conditions, and delays in public transportation can result in absenteeism or late arrivals. For businesses that rely on a fully-staffed team to operate, these disruptions can lead to reduced productivity and missed deadlines.
Delivery and Supply Chain Delays: Snowstorms can disrupt the delivery of goods and supplies, affecting businesses that depend on regular shipments. From retail stores waiting on stock to restaurants relying on fresh ingredients, supply chain disruptions can negatively impact a business’s ability to meet customer demand.

5. Damaged Property and Equipment

A snowy winter can also take a toll on your business’s physical property and equipment.

Roof Damage: Accumulated snow on rooftops can cause significant structural damage. Heavy snow can lead to roof collapses or leaks, which can be expensive to repair and may require temporary business closures. Regular snow removal from roofs is essential to prevent this type of damage.
Parking Lot and Pavement Wear: Constant snow removal, combined with the freeze-thaw cycle, can cause damage to parking lots and sidewalks. Cracks, potholes, and deteriorating pavement can create additional safety hazards and may require costly repairs in the spring.

6. Maintaining a Positive Business Image

The appearance of your business matters, even during the winter. Snow-covered sidewalks, icy pathways, and unplowed parking lots can create a negative impression for customers and clients. Maintaining a clean, snow-free exterior is crucial to upholding your business’s reputation.

Customer Perception: A business that prioritizes snow removal and ensures safe access for customers is seen as responsible and attentive. On the other hand, neglecting snow removal can create the perception that the business is unprofessional or unsafe.
Boost Employee Morale: Providing a safe and well-maintained environment for employees is also important. When employees see that their workplace is taking proactive steps to ensure safety during winter, it can boost morale and productivity.

How Gateway Builders Can Help Your Business

At Gateway Builders, we understand the unique challenges that Edmonton businesses face during the winter. Our commercial snow removal services are designed to keep your property safe, accessible, and compliant with city regulations. With our professional snow removal, you can focus on running your business while we take care of the snow.

Timely and Reliable Service: We monitor weather conditions closely and provide prompt snow removal services to ensure that your business is always accessible, no matter how much snow falls.
Comprehensive Snow Removal: From sidewalks to parking lots, we offer full-service snow clearing to keep your property safe for both customers and employees.
Custom Snow Removal Plans: Every business has unique needs, and we work with you to create a snow removal plan that fits your schedule, budget, and property layout.

Conclusion

A snowy winter in Edmonton can bring a range of challenges for businesses, from reduced foot traffic and increased liability to higher operational costs and property damage. However, by taking proactive steps—such as hiring a professional snow removal service like Gateway Builders—you can minimize the negative impacts of winter and keep your business running smoothly.

Let Gateway Builders help you manage the winter weather. Contact us today to learn more about our commercial snow removal services and how we can keep your business safe and operational all winter long!