9 Ways to Put Your Customer First in Retail
Customers are the most important aspect of any retail business, and opting for a customer-first approach will only benefit the longevity of your business. But what is it, and how do you take a customer-first approach in retail?
At Displaysense, we’ll highlight how you can operate your business with your customers at the forefront and how this can benefit your retail store.
80% of customers say the experience provided by a company is just as important as the service or product provided by a business.
What is a customer-first approach?
In the retail world, a customer-first approach is running your business with your customers at the heart of everything you do. This means operating on a philosophy that makes customers feel appreciated and welcome in your business. Making customers feel like this can help gain a loyal customer base who are more likely to recommend you to others and return for repeat custom.
Ways to run a customer-first retail store
There are many ways that you can run your retail business with customers at the front and centre. We’ve highlighted some of the most successful ways you can do this for your store and how it can improve your business.
1. Target your audience
It is easier to put your customers first when you know who they are and what they want from you. By identifying your customers, you can take a targeted approach to your strategy and understand what they want from you concerning your services or products and how to excel.
2. Ask customers what they want
Once you have established your customer, it is important to know their needs and how you can fulfil them. Customers typically fall into common types, and they all have different needs.
Simply ask your customers in-store what they want to see from you and how you can improve your services. When you understand their needs, you can provide personalised recommendations and upsell them to customers.
3. Take care of your employees
When your employees are well looked after, they want to deliver great customer service and will have a passion for delivering your vision.
4. Provide customer service training for your employees
Equipping your employees with the right knowledge to deliver an excellent customer service experience will set you apart from competitors.
5. Ask for customer feedback
Asking for customer feedback differs from asking your customers what they want. Many retail stores ask for customer feedback and provide discount codes for those who take time to complete surveys.
6. Make your customers feel valued
There are many ways for you to make your customers feel valued, including:
- Start a loyalty scheme with discounts
- Provide personalised recommendations
- Engage in conversation with them
- Offer quick responses (in-store and online)
7. Create an in-store experience
Signage and clear displays reduce shopping stress and encourage customers to spend more time in your store.
8. Be prepared to adapt
Adapting your service or offering to customers and their needs will ensure that they are satisfied with your business, and as a result, they will more likely return.
9. Be transparent with your customers
Providing transparency with your customers is important when adopting a customer-first approach. Retail customers appreciate honesty, and setting realistic expectations builds trust.
