RIDBS Store Walk User Guide
RIDBS Store Walk Standards Guide
Use this page to understand how the current RIDBS Store Walk app works, what the buttons mean, when to take photos, how AI is used, and what still belongs on the store's official signed paper process.
Updated: 2026-05-16 19:33:11 SAST. Generated from documentation/help_sources/store_walk_help.json.
Official Record Rule
The RIDBS Store Walk app is a coaching and store-visit support tool. It helps a manager structure the visit, record issue evidence, use optional AI support, and produce a report link.
It does not replace the store's official signed paper process. Incidents, missed controls, compliance exceptions, variances, disciplinary matters, food safety records, health-and-safety records, and formal audit records must still be handled through the store's normal signed and auditable process.
Current Store Walk Flow
The app is now issue-first and guided. The user should not need to type ISSUE: just to start the workflow.
- Enter email first. If the email already exists in the RIDBS subscriber/store-walk record, the app should welcome the user back, fill in saved details, and get the user into the app faster.
- Confirm visit details. Manager name, position, store name, and email must be correct before the walk starts. Newsletter consent is separate from report email delivery.
- Select only today's scope. Choose the store areas and checks that will actually be inspected. Do not tick everything unless the full walk is required.
- Start the walk. The first selected check opens automatically. The app shows an input block for that check.
- If the check is clean, use DONE. DONE is only for a clean check. It closes that check and moves to the next selected check.
- If there is an issue, type the comment in plain language and press Send. The app locks that comment to the current check. Do not type ISSUE first.
- Add evidence photo. Take a photo or upload a photo for that locked issue. When the photo appears, press OK only if it is the correct photo, or remove/delete it if it is wrong.
- AI starts automatically after OK for a locked issue photo. Red means the AI is still working. Green means the AI result is ready and attached to the issue.
- Move logically to the next question. After the issue/photo/AI step is complete, the app asks whether to add another issue for the same point or move to the next selected check/area.
- Repeat only where needed. Up to 5 issues can be logged in one area. If there is no second, third, fourth, or fifth issue, move on instead of creating empty records.
- Review the report before sending. Save/download/copy can be used for checking. Email Report Link is deliberately the final report action.
Button Meanings
- Continue to Store Walk: starts the selected scope.
- Preview First Step: shows an example before starting.
- Send: locks the typed issue/comment to the current check.
- DONE: use only when the current check is clean or when the app asks whether there is no further issue for that point.
- NEXT AREA: skips the remaining checks in the current area when they are not required.
- HELP: explains the current screen or decision point.
- PAUSE: holds the walk without completing it.
Photo and AI Rules
- Take photos for issue evidence, not routine clean checks.
- Each photo must attach to the correct locked issue record.
- If the wrong photo appears, use Delete/Remove before analysis or reporting.
- After OK, the app starts AI automatically for a locked issue photo so the user is not asked twice.
- AI analysis is optional support, but when used it must attach to the correct issue and report.
- AI can be wrong. The manager remains responsible for checking the visible evidence before using it in the report.
- AI findings are possible issues only. They are not formal audit findings by themselves.
Screen Colours and Status
The flashing button is the next expected action. It is used to guide mobile users through the sequence.
AI analysis is still running. Do not press Analyse again while this is showing.
AI analysis has returned and is attached to the issue for manager review.
Report Controls
The report is built as the walk progresses. The controls should be used in this order:
- Save Hosted Report: creates the hosted report link.
- Download Full HTML Report: downloads the report with images for local checking.
- Copy TXT Report: copies the plain-text version for checking or internal notes.
- Email Report Link: final action. Sends the hosted report link after the manager has reviewed the report.
Buttons may flash until completed. A completed action should show a tick or completed label. Email Report Link is last because it sends the report externally.
Newsletter and Subscriber Rules
- The weekly RIDBS newsletter opt-in is separate from the Store Walk report email.
- A user can run and receive a Store Walk report without subscribing to the weekly newsletter.
- When a user subscribes, they should receive a confirmation email with an unsubscribe link.
- Returning users should be recognised by email when their details are already saved.
- Subscriber records are managed from the WordPress admin subscriber page by authorised users only.
When to Use the Standalone Photo Analysis Tool
The standalone photo-analysis app is useful when you want to analyse a store photograph outside the structured Store Walk flow.
The Store Walk Coach app should be used when you need a guided area/check walk, issue records, evidence photos, and a final report.
Area Standards Checklist
Use the standards below as a practical reference while deciding whether a visible condition should be recorded as an issue. Do not invent issues that are not visible or not observed.
1. Parking Lot and External Areas
Safe paving, clear markings, lighting, trolley control, exterior signage, CCTV visibility, fire lanes, waste, dumping, and customer approach safety.
2. Store Front and Entrance Foyer
Clean dry floors, trip hazards, doors, baskets, trolleys, entrance displays, pricing, POS material, fire equipment, emergency lights, and exit signage.
3. Security and Access Control
Guard visibility, access control, bag-check discipline, CCTV signage, emergency response controls, and fair non-discriminatory treatment.
4. Customer Service and Cashier Area
Queue control, till cleanliness, price accuracy, cash-handling visibility, returns control, customer service standards, and front-end safety.
5. Front-of-Store Aisles and General Merchandise
Shelf fill, price labels, aisle obstruction, promotional displays, damaged stock, stock rotation, markdown control, and housekeeping.
6. Produce
Freshness, quality, clean bins, no visible rot or mould, correct pricing, PLU accuracy, scale cleanliness, cold-chain where relevant, and waste control.
7. Bakery
Hygiene, covered or protected products, freshness, allergen and ingredient controls, clean display cabinets, price tickets, date control, and equipment cleanliness.
8. Butchery and Meat
Cold-chain discipline, clean counters, correct labelling, date control, separation, hygiene, waste control, and safe equipment practices.
9. Deli and Prepared Foods
Hot/cold holding, covered food, clean utensils, allergen control, date labels, serving hygiene, and cross-contamination risk.
10. Dairy and Frozen
Temperatures, doors, stock rotation, no thawing, no ice build-up, clean cases, date control, and no overloaded cabinets.
11. Liquor, Tobacco, and Regulated Products
Age-restriction signage, controlled or locked stock, pricing, licence display where applicable, security, and access control.
12. Receiving and Despatch
Clean dry receiving bay, safe pallet movement, no congestion, safe stacking, delivery paperwork discipline, cold-chain receipt, and clear access.
13. Store Manager and Admin Office
Document control, confidential information, incident files, safe storage, key control, and clean organised admin area.
14. Finance and HR Office
Cash and payroll privacy, locked documents, staff-file privacy, safe control, no exposed confidential documents, and restricted access.
15. Storeroom and Stockrooms
Safe stacking, clear aisles, FIFO, no food on floor, pest risk, clean shelving, back-stock control, and category organisation.
16. Employee Facilities and Health and Safety
Clean staff areas, first aid, PPE, notices, toilets, lockers, emergency boards, and health-and-safety records.
17. Cleaning, Sanitation, Utilities, and Emergency Readiness
Chemicals, cleaning tools, waste areas, emergency exits, fire equipment, generator/utilities, and sanitation controls.
Manager Use Standard
Keep the walk simple. Select the checks that matter today, record visible issues clearly, attach the correct photo, use AI only as a coaching aid, review the report, and complete the store's formal record where required.