Thrifty Foods at Morgan Crossing - South Surrey, B.C.

Project Strategy

Thrifty Foods South Surrey: Flooring Installation Built for Resilience and Precision

The flooring installation at Thrifty Foods in South Surrey was far from a standard project—it was a technical and logistical challenge that demanded expertise, adaptability, and problem-solving at every stage. As a flagship location for one of British Columbia's most recognized grocery chains, the flooring needed to balance exceptional durability, safety, and visual appeal in a high-traffic environment.

Design Vision: Functional and Inviting
The design team envisioned flooring that would enhance the customer experience, blending practicality with a welcoming aesthetic. The layout emphasized smooth transitions between key areas, such as produce, aisles, and checkouts, while creating a visually cohesive environment reflective of Thrifty Foods’ brand identity. The use of high-performance materials was critical to ensure the floors could endure the wear and tear of foot traffic, carts, and equipment.

Site-Specific Challenges
The South Surrey location posed a variety of challenges unique to grocery store installations:

Continuous Operation:
Grocery stores operate on tight schedules, leaving minimal room for downtime. Coordinating the installation while working with other trade contractors, ensuring minimal disruption to a tight construction schedule all while maintaining store operations setup were critical hurdles faced daily.
Moisture Sensitivity:
Grocery environments are prone to moisture exposure from refrigeration units, spills, and cleaning. The flooring installation required careful preparation, including moisture testing and mitigation, to prevent long-term damage or failure.
High-Traffic Durability:
As a heavily trafficked retail space, the flooring needed to meet strict slip-resistance standards to withstand rolling loads from carts, forklifts, while remaining easy to clean and maintain.
Substrate Preparation:
Existing substrates presented inconsistencies and imperfections that required extensive leveling and repairs before installation could begin.

Technical Expertise and Solutions
To address these challenges, the installation team employed a range of advanced techniques:

Gondolas- store shelving: The layout by the Maxwell Floors INSTALL team, needed to be totally accurate as the store gondolas shelving follows the lines and borders of the different flooring colours for product placement.
Moisture Barriers: Specialized moisture barriers were applied to protect against the constant risk of water damage.
High-Performance Materials: Durable, low-maintenance flooring materials with enhanced slip-resistance properties were chosen to ensure long-lasting functionality and safety.
Precision Installation: Custom cuts and tight tolerances were essential to accommodate the store’s layout, including transitions around refrigeration units and shelving.
Phased Execution: The project was carefully phased to maintain access to key areas of the store, minimizing disruptions to construction operations.

Sustainability and Efficiency
Sustainability played a central role in the project. Materials were selected for their eco-friendly properties, and installation practices prioritized waste reduction and energy efficiency. Low-VOC adhesives were used to maintain air quality during and after installation, ensuring the safety of both workers and customers.

Collaboration Across Teams
The success of this project was a testament to seamless collaboration between the flooring installers, design team, and store management. By working closely with all stakeholders, the team was able to overcome all logistical challenges while staying true to the design vision and project timeline.

Why It Stands Out
The Thrifty Foods South Surrey flooring installation is a prime example of how expert craftsmanship meets real-world demands. From navigating the complexities of a fully operational grocery store to implementing durable, moisture-resistant solutions, this project showcases the skill and precision required to deliver outstanding results in a high-stakes environment.

This installation is more than just functional—it’s a foundation that supports the customer experience while standing up to the unique challenges of the grocery industry. It's a shining example of how technical expertise and thoughtful design come together to create flooring that truly works as hard as the space it supports.

Unique Installation Challenge Strategy

Site-Specific Challenges
The South Surrey location posed a variety of challenges unique to grocery store installations:

Continuous Operation:
Grocery stores operate on tight schedules, leaving minimal room for downtime. Coordinating the installation while working with other trade contractors, ensuring minimal disruption to a tight construction schedule all while maintaining store operations setup were critical hurdles faced daily.
Moisture Sensitivity:
Grocery environments are prone to moisture exposure from refrigeration units, spills, and cleaning. The flooring installation required careful preparation, including moisture testing and mitigation, to prevent long-term damage or failure.
High-Traffic Durability:
As a heavily trafficked retail space, the flooring needed to meet strict slip-resistance standards to withstand rolling loads from carts, forklifts, while remaining easy to clean and maintain.
Substrate Preparation:
Existing substrates presented inconsistencies and imperfections that required extensive leveling and repairs before installation could begin.

Technical Expertise and Solutions
To address these challenges, the installation team employed a range of advanced techniques:

Gondolas- store shelving: The layout by the Maxwell Floors INSTALL team, needed to be totally accurate as the store gondolas shelving follows the lines and borders of the different flooring colours for product placement.
Moisture Barriers: Specialized moisture barriers were applied to protect against the constant risk of water damage.
High-Performance Materials: Durable, low-maintenance flooring materials with enhanced slip-resistance properties were chosen to ensure long-lasting functionality and safety.
Precision Installation: Custom cuts and tight tolerances were essential to accommodate the store’s layout, including transitions around refrigeration units and shelving.
Phased Execution: The project was carefully phased to maintain access to key areas of the store, minimizing disruptions to construction operations.