For retail facilities managers, entrance matting isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’ during the colder months – it’s a critical safety and cleanliness measure that protects customers, staff and the store itself.
Why entrance matting matters more in winter
Winter is challenging for retail spaces. As soon as the weather turns, entrances become a frontline battle against water, mud, grit and slipping hazards.
Additionally, in winter, entrances deal with far more than just usual everyday footfall. Rain-soaked shoes, muddy boots, melting snow and de-icing salt are all tracked straight into the store. Without effective retail entrance matting, this moisture and debris spreads quickly across internal floors, increasing cleaning costs and creating a real slip risk.
Wet floors are one of the most common causes of accidents in retail environments. Add icy conditions outside and the risk multiplies. Customers entering a store often don’t adjust their walking pace, meaning even a small amount of water can result in slips, trips and potential injury claims. High-quality safety floor mats act as the first line of defence, removing moisture and debris before it becomes a problem.
Winter-specific challenges for retail entrance mats
Winter brings a perfect storm of challenges for facilities teams:
• Increased foot traffic as shoppers spend more time indoors
• Weather-related debris including grit, mud, snow and salt – salt and grit may prevent slips outdoors, but they can degrade internal floor finishes and cause unsightly staining
• Higher risk of slipping from wet and icy footwear
• Greater impact on store cleanliness, especially during peak trading periods
What does winter-ready entrance matting offer retailers?
The right entrance matting solution offers several benefits during winter:
• It reduces slip risks, improving safety
• Cleaner floors throughout the store and reduces cleaning costs as less frequent cleaning needed
• Dry, welcoming entrances that improve customer experience
Choosing the right matting, placement and maintenance
• For best results, retail entrance matting should be designed as a system rather than a single mat. A combination of external and internal matting zones helps maximise moisture and dirt removal. As a rule of thumb, aim for enough matting to allow at least three to four footsteps across the surface.
• Placement is key. Focus on main entrances, high-traffic doors and any secondary access points used during busy periods. Regular maintenance is just as important – even the best safety floor mats need routine cleaning to perform properly throughout winter.
A smart winter investment
Winter conditions aren’t going away, but accidents and dirty floors don’t have to be part of the season. By investing in robust retail entrance matting with rubber infills, facilities managers can improve safety, protect floors and keep stores looking their best – whatever the weather throws at them.
Rubber infill entrance matting from EMS Ltd.
At EMS Ltd, we recommend entrance matting systems featuring rubber infills for effectiveness during colder months.
The EMS Colortread Entrance Matting System with the CT005 rubber infill or the CT008 recycled rubber infill provides a bespoke finish and excellent scraping action. It removes stubborn dirt, grit and salt from footwear before customers step inside the store. Unlike softer textile-only options, rubber infills perform consistently in wet and icy conditions without becoming saturated.
Rubber infills such as the DC004 and DC 005 (used with the EMS Debris Channel Entrance Matting Systems) are also highly durable, and will withstand heavy winter footfall and wheeled traffic such as trolleys and delivery equipment. They offer natural slip resistance, and will stabilise footwear on entry. Easy to clean, they make ongoing maintenance far simpler for facilities teams.
Contact Us
To find out more, email us at info@entrance-matting.com or call 01205 761757.
