FASTSIGNS adapts to pandemic demand

A Florida location of FASTSIGNS has switched its focus from just marketing products to ensure business stays booming.

Businesses across the world have taken a hit, but Russ Hall, who owns FASTSIGNS Syracuse, explained how diversifying his products has helped his business stay alive. Now, his staff are busy making banners for socially distanced celebrations and vital safety signs to keep people apart.

“We’re actually very, very busy right now. A heavy concentration in consumer projects which typically we didn’t do in the past. You’ll see printers running, a lot of these are graduation signs. [We’ve also got] an absolute crush of orders with safety barriers, social distancing signs, safety signs talking about how to wash hands, that kind of stuff."

Hall’s printers aren’t just busy with customer orders, as the kind franchisee has been producing ‘thank you healthcare workers’ banners to hang across the city. He says that lots of his family are healthcare workers, so he wanted to give back for them.

While Hall isn’t seeing record profits right now (he believes he was just over break-even last month), he has reduced prices so that everyone can access his products and celebrate. Most importantly, the new kinds of orders have also been able to keep his team busy and employed throughout this difficult time.

He concluded by explaining how, while the circumstances are terrible, it’s been an interesting challenge to try making new products.

“It’s actually been a little fun. I’ve really enjoyed talking to a lot of other individuals, so I think something that won’t change is we’re going to continue to do that. From a selfish standpoint this gives us exposure in the market as well, because eventually things will turn.”

And whenever things do get back to normal, sign franchise FASTSIGNS’ locations across the world will return to their normal services just as quickly as Hall has adapted to offer new ones.