One of the most effective ways to shape a retail customer’s experience is with retail entrance mats. Here, we explain how that can be achieved.
Retail facilities managers understand that the customer experience starts well before a shopper browses a shelf or speaks to a member of staff; it begins the moment someone walks through the door.
While we know that the prime function of entrance matting is to remove dirt, moisture and debris from footwear, in busy retail environments, where weather conditions and high footfall are a given, its purpose goes far beyond floor protection. The right entrance matting system will influence how customers perceive your store, how safe and comfortable they feel inside it, and how smoothly the space operates.
First impressions and brand perception
Customers form opinions about a store in seconds. Clean, well-maintained entrances signal professionalism and attention to detail, while wet or dirty floors can undermine trust immediately.
High-quality retail entrance matting helps create a positive first impression by controlling dirt and moisture before it spreads across the shop floor.
Branded logo mats and custom entrance mats are particularly powerful at this stage. They reinforce brand identity as soon as customers enter, creating a visual connection between the physical space and the brand values you want to project, possibly boosting customer retention by up to 70% (Marketing Week UK research). Whether it’s a supermarket, fashion retailer or high-end showroom, branded entrance matting supports consistency and makes the environment feel intentional rather than purely functional- see how our EMS Tretford Design range helped Harvey Nichols in Kuwait to achieve this.
Cleanliness that customers notice
Perceived cleanliness plays a major role in customer confidence, especially in UK retail settings where rain and mud are common. Effective entrance matting traps contaminants at the door, reducing the amount of visible dirt throughout the store. Customers may not consciously think about the matting, but they notice cleaner aisles, drier floors and a more pleasant overall environment. Indeed, The National Library of Medicine (a research leader in biomedical informatics and data science) conducted research citing that more than 8 out of 10 consumers will only spend their money in a clean store.
From an operational perspective, this also supports cleaning teams by reducing the frequency and intensity of floor cleaning. For a deeper look at the operational benefits, see ‘How heavy-duty entrance matting reduces slip risks and cleaning costs in busy UK retail stores’.
Safety, accessibility and comfort
Customer experience is closely linked to how safe and comfortable people feel. Slip risks at entrances are one of the most common causes of accidents in retail, as the sector is vulnerable to spills, litter and cleaning challenges. Well-specified entrance matting improves traction, absorbs moisture and helps maintain dry walking surfaces, particularly during wet weather.
Accessibility is another key consideration. Entrance mats that are properly installed, flush-fitting and compliant with UK standards support smooth movement for wheelchairs, pushchairs and customers with reduced mobility. Learn more in ‘BS8300 compliance: entrance matting for accessibility in construction projects’. Softer, cushioned matting can also reduce fatigue, improving comfort for customers who spend longer browsing in-store.
Sustainability and customer values
Sustainability increasingly influences customer perceptions of retail brands. With modern retail entrance matting systems manufactured using recycled materials and designed for long service life, choosing durable, sustainable matting demonstrates environmental responsibility. This aligns your store with the values of eco-conscious customers without compromising performance.
Retail entrance mats from EMS Ltd.
Retail environments are diverse, and entrance matting should reflect that. Options such as custom logo mats, colour-matched systems and zoned matting layouts allow facilities managers to tailor solutions to store size, footfall levels and brand identity.
At Entrance Matting Systems Ltd, our entire range of matting solutions is suitable for retail use. The following ranges are the most popular for retail environments:
EMS Tretford Design Range – the Tretford Design Range offers over 40 colour options and a recycled aluminium grid system that can be anodised in a choice of metallic finishes. Tretford mats are perfect for branding, logos, and bespoke commercial designs.
EMS Colortread Entrance Matting System – our Colortread Entrance Matting System is available as recessed or surface-mounted with ramped edges and benefits from replaceable infills and a wide choice of colourful scraper bars. Colortread is ideal for custom logo mats.
EMS Luxury Barrier Entrance Matting – our Luxury Barrier Entrance Matting is available in over 40 colours and can be matched to any Pantone colour for an additional charge. These high-quality, rubber-backed nylon barrier entrance mats can be precision, laser printed with a company logo, or brand – ideal as branding, advertising, or promotional tool.
Contact us
To learn more about entrance matting solutions from EMS, contact us today by email at info@entrance-matting.com or telephone on 01205 761757.
