How To Maintain Air Quality In Retail Environments Over Winter

Discover how London retailers can maintain clean, healthy air through winter with practical strategies that support wellbeing, customer satisfaction and store performance.

As Christmas approaches, London’s retail spaces come alive with visitors, decorations and festive displays. Footfall rises, heating systems switch on, and the air inside becomes busier and more confined.

Maintaining air quality during this season is essential. Clean, healthy air supports staff wellbeing, enhances customer experience and prevents dust and odours from building up during peak trading hours.

Why air quality matters in retail settings

Retail spaces rely on a welcoming atmosphere. Poor air quality can affect how customers feel and how long they stay. It can also impact staff focus, comfort and health.

According to The Asthma and Lung Foundation (formerly The British Lung Foundation), prolonged exposure to poor indoor air can lead to headaches, fatigue and respiratory irritation. In busy, enclosed environments like stores and shopping centres, these risks are higher in winter when windows stay shut and heating systems run constantly.

In London, the challenge is even greater. High pollution levels outside mix with indoor contaminants like dust, fragrances and cleaning residues, creating a heavier atmosphere if not managed properly.

Common air quality challenges during winter

The cold season introduces several unique factors that can reduce air quality inside stores.

Heating systems: Central heating dries the air and circulates dust and allergens.
Closed doors and windows: Less ventilation allows carbon dioxide and pollutants to build up.
Increased footfall: More visitors bring in dirt and debris from outside.
Decorations and stock: Packaging materials, adhesives and artificial trees can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Each of these elements can affect comfort, cleanliness and perception.

The link between cleaning and air quality

Regular cleaning supports good air quality by reducing airborne dust and allergens. Floors, shelves and vents act as dust traps, releasing particles back into the air when disturbed.

At DOC Cleaning, we see a direct connection between air cleanliness and surface cleanliness. When both are maintained, customers report a fresher, lighter feel to the space.

For further insight into how environmental factors affect customer perception, see our blog How Store Cleanliness Affects Retail Sales.

Key areas to focus on

Some areas of retail environments contribute more to air quality than others. Addressing them early in the season helps maintain standards throughout winter.

Entrances and foyers

Doors constantly opening to cold air create rapid temperature changes. Mats should be vacuumed daily and floors cleaned using low-dust, microfibre techniques. This stops dirt from spreading and improves air clarity.

Shelving and displays

Dust builds quickly on high shelves and decorative features. Cleaning them regularly prevents particles from falling into the breathing zone of customers and staff.

Air vents and ducts

Blocked vents restrict airflow and allow contaminants to accumulate. Cleaning teams should work alongside HVAC contractors to ensure filters are cleaned and replaced according to manufacturer guidance.

Storage areas and stockrooms

Cardboard boxes and packaging materials generate fine dust. Keeping these areas tidy and ventilated prevents dust from travelling to the shop floor.

Winter ventilation strategies

Balancing warmth and ventilation can be difficult during winter, but clean air depends on consistent airflow.

According to The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), employers must ensure sufficient ventilation in enclosed workplaces to reduce airborne contaminants and maintain comfort.

Simple ways to improve airflow

Use door vents or automatic closures: These minimise drafts while allowing circulation.
Check air conditioning settings: Ensure systems are drawing in fresh air, not just recirculating.
Stagger cleaning schedules: Carry out dusting and vacuuming before opening hours so particles settle before customers arrive.
Monitor CO₂ levels: Sensors can indicate when ventilation is insufficient, helping managers take action before issues arise.

The role of professional cleaning partners

Working with a cleaning provider who understands air quality can make a measurable difference, especially in high-traffic London stores.

Professional cleaning reduces hidden pollutants like dust, spores and residue from cleaning chemicals. Teams also use low-emission products that minimise fragrance load, protecting both customers and staff from irritation.

Our Beyond Cleaning strategy ensures cleaning supports not only hygiene but also environmental wellbeing. We partner with responsible suppliers to provide eco-friendly, low-impact products that improve indoor air conditions.

Maintaining air quality across different retail zones

Each area of a store affects air quality differently. A tailored approach keeps conditions consistent throughout.

Retail zone	Common challenges	Cleaning focus
Front of house	High footfall, dust from traffic, temperature fluctuation	Daily vacuuming, mat cleaning and polishing
Changing rooms	Warm air and enclosed space	Fresh air circulation and surface sanitisation
Cafes or food areas	Cooking fumes and moisture	Extraction maintenance and odour control
Stockrooms	Dust from packaging and movement	Sweeping, organisation and targeted ventilation

Regular monitoring ensures each area contributes positively to overall air quality.

Sustainability and energy efficiency

Clean air should not come at the expense of sustainability. Balancing environmental responsibility with effective ventilation is crucial in London’s corporate retail settings.

According to Carbon Trust UK, maintaining clean HVAC systems can improve energy efficiency by up to 20%, reducing both emissions and running costs. This supports retailers working toward ESG and Net Zero goals while maintaining comfort for staff and visitors.

Integrating sustainability into daily operations also enhances brand reputation. Consumers increasingly choose to shop with retailers who demonstrate environmental care through visible actions such as responsible waste management and efficient energy use.

Supporting staff wellbeing

Employees spend long hours in retail spaces, particularly during the Christmas season. Clean air helps them stay alert, comfortable and motivated.

How poor air affects staff performance

Fatigue and loss of concentration
Dry eyes and skin due to low humidity
Irritation from dust and fragranced products

According to The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), workplace environment quality directly impacts staff engagement and productivity. Maintaining fresh air is therefore a key part of overall workforce wellbeing.

Retailers can reinforce this by ensuring break rooms are well ventilated, filters are maintained and cleaning tasks are scheduled with employee comfort in mind.

For a broader look at how environment impacts performance, read our blog How Cleaning Can Improve Focus and Productivity in the Workplace.

Measuring and improving air quality

Monitoring systems help managers understand how air quality changes through the day.

Practical steps to measure conditions

Install air sensors: Track temperature, humidity and CO₂ levels in real time.
Schedule periodic air testing: Identify pollutants such as dust, VOCs or allergens.
Review HVAC reports: Check maintenance logs and cleaning records to identify performance dips.

By combining data with regular cleaning reports, facilities teams can identify which actions have the greatest impact on comfort and efficiency.

According to BRE Group, proactive monitoring in commercial buildings can reduce maintenance costs by up to 30% over time.

Preparing for peak trading

In London, the Christmas season brings long opening hours, increased footfall and festive displays that often use additional lighting or artificial materials. These changes influence both temperature and air quality.

Retailers can prepare by:

Deep cleaning HVAC units before December to ensure filters are fresh.
Increasing frequency of touchpoint cleaning to remove dust stirred by customer traffic.
Using low-emission products to avoid overpowering scents during busy periods.
Coordinating with cleaning teams to ensure air remains fresh throughout extended hours.

These measures create cleaner, more inviting environments that encourage shoppers to stay longer and return more often.

Get in touch

We work with retail clients across London to deliver cleaning solutions that protect air quality, enhance customer experience and support sustainability goals.

Our teams combine years of experience with modern technology to create cleaner, healthier environments that reflect the standards of leading retail brands.

7th October 2025