Bright ideas for darker days: How the end of Daylight Saving Time can impact your business

It’s getting to be that time of year. The end of Daylight Saving Time (DST) brings with it shorter days, earlier sunsets, and a few unexpected challenges for small business owners. While the extra hour of sleep may be welcome, the darker afternoons and shifting schedules can affect everything from foot traffic to employee productivity. But the real concern? Some risks increase as the daylight fades, and these can lead to operational issues and liabilities.

Let’s dive into how the time change might affect your business and, more importantly, what you can do to keep things running smoothly. 👇

1. Shorter daylight = lower foot traffic

With the sun setting earlier, you may see evening foot traffic dwindling. If your business relies on customers stopping by after work, this could mean fewer people coming through your doors. According to an article published by PYMNTS, a study showed retail stores saw a 4.8% decline in spending after Daylight Saving Time ended. That’s a big drop for a small business retail shop.

⏰ Time change tip: Try adjusting your hours to maximize daytime traffic—opening earlier and closing earlier can help. Also, consider running special promotions to encourage customers to stop by before it gets dark. For example, an "early bird special" or lunch discount could help you keep a steady customer base during the afternoon.

⚠️ Protect your business: Reduced foot traffic isn’t just a sales problem—it’s a liability issue, too. With darker afternoons, poorly lit parking lots and walkways can lead to slip-and-fall incidents. A solid general liability insurance policy could cover medical expenses and legal costs if a customer or employee gets injured on your property.

📢 Related: What is general liability insurance and why do you need it?

2. Energy costs can creep up

As the days get shorter, your business may need to rely more on artificial lighting. Whether you're in retail or office space, keeping the lights on longer can add to your energy bill.

⏰ Time change tip: This is a great time to look into energy-efficient lighting solutions. Switching to LED bulbs, installing timers, or using motion-sensor lighting can help cut down on unnecessary energy use. Additionally, assess whether outdoor lighting is adequate to keep entrances well-lit and safe for customers and employees alike.

3. Employee productivity may dip

The time change can throw off your employees' routines, leading to sluggish mornings and tired afternoons. With less sunlight, it’s common for people to experience mood shifts or a lack of motivation, affecting their performance.

⏰ Time change tip: Be flexible with your team in the days following the time change. Offering later start times or encouraging employees to take short outdoor breaks can help everyone adjust. If your budget allows, the Monday following the end of Daylight Saving Time, treat your staff to some coffee and donuts or something similar – food always elevates moods! Additionally, consider brightening up your workplace with extra lighting and encouraging wellness activities that boost morale.

4. Shifts in customer behavior

Customers may avoid going out after dark, especially as the weather gets colder. This change in behavior can lead to fewer evening sales, especially if you run a business in retail, dining, or entertainment.

⏰ Time change tip: Adapt your marketing to focus on earlier hours and make it easier for customers to do business with you during daylight. Promote special deals for the lunch crowd or early afternoon shoppers. Offering delivery or online options can also help reach customers who prefer to stay home once it’s dark.

⚠️ Protect your business: With more businesses relying on online transactions, cyber criminals could use this as an opportunity to strike while routines and patterns are disrupted (as is caused by the start and end of daylight saving time.) Protect your small business with cyber security insurance, which could cover you in case of a data breach, hacking incident, or customer data theft.

📢 Related: Preparing your small business for the holidays

5. Logistical hiccups

Darker afternoons and shifting daylight can also affect the logistics of your business. If you rely on deliveries, you might face challenges with timing and safety. Drivers could have to navigate routes in low visibility or rush to make deliveries before it gets dark.

⏰ Time change tip: Be proactive in communicating with your vendors and delivery partners. Adjust your delivery schedules to ensure that drivers aren’t stuck navigating in poor lighting conditions. If possible, schedule deliveries for earlier in the day or shift pickup times to avoid the evening rush.

🎯 Bonus tip: Make sure your website and other communications refer to your business hours, the time of events, and other time-sensitive things without referring to daylight saving time or standard time. For example, if you’re in the Eastern time zone, use ‘ET’ (Eastern Time) rather than ‘EST’ (Eastern Standard Time) and ‘EDT’ (‘Eastern Daylight Time). That way, there’s no confusion about what time you’re referring to, and you’re not changing your communications every six months! And if you change your hours of operation with the start or end of daylight saving time, be sure to update this information anywhere it’s displayed.

6. Mental health and morale

The lack of sunlight can also affect mental health. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and general feelings of fatigue or gloominess are common as we head into the shorter days. If you or your employees are feeling low-energy or less motivated, it can take a toll on productivity and overall workplace morale.

⏰ Time change tip: Combat the winter blues by promoting wellness in the workplace and prioritizing self-care. Encourage regular outdoor breaks while the sun is still shining, play some energizing and seasonal tunes like the ones found in our “Chasing Daylight” playlist, and brighten up your workspace with extra lighting or even plants. Small adjustments like these can help boost mood and keep energy levels up during the darker months.  

7. Increased risk of mistakes and oversights

As a business owner or consultant, the time shift can cause lapses in attention, leading to errors in professional tasks. The adjustment to the new schedule, combined with potential fatigue or distractions, can increase the likelihood of making small—but costly—mistakes, especially in client work, reports, or contracts.

⏰ Time change tip: Double-check important tasks or deadlines during the time change period. It’s also a good idea to implement an extra layer of quality control or peer review to catch any errors.

⚠️ Protect your business: If these small mistakes lead to financial losses or claims from clients, professional liability insurance (also known as errors and omissions insurance) can protect you. This coverage helps safeguard your business if a client alleges negligence or a mistake in your professional services.

📢 Related: What is professional liability insurance and why do you need it?

Falling back but staying ahead

💡✍ The end of Daylight Saving Time brings unique challenges for small business owners, but with a few strategic adjustments, you can make sure your business thrives during this seasonal transition. From managing energy costs to boosting employee productivity and keeping an eye on customer behavior, small changes can make a big difference.

Make sure your business’s insurance coverage is up to date with general liability (GL), cyber security insurance, and professional liability (PL) to protect your business from the risks that come with this shift. With a little foresight and preparation, you can navigate the darker days ahead and keep your business on track!