The Ultimate Business Blog Citygirlbusinessclub.com
Customer service isn’t just about being nice, happy and smiling at people who come into your store. It’s about making more money, pure and simple. So, if your retail business is struggling to make the most of its opportunities, read on to find out how you can turn things around.
Look after your staff
Working in retail is a tough job – especially as it so demanding with little financial reward. However, if you provide the best working environment you can, you will see better results all round with your customer service. Not all of your employees will be naturally happy, and it might take a bit of work to coax them out of their shells. Being polite and helpful are everything in retail, so those qualities should be the core of everything that they do. And, those qualities are much easier to display when you are happy in what you do.
Show off your knowledge
Customers love speaking to knowledgeable staff, and quite often this is an area that your business can excel in. Many smaller retail stores have staff that are far more knowledgeable than major retailers, so use it to your advantage. Fill your customers in with the details of any news that you know about the product they are buying. If you and your staff leave a good impression, those people will come back – and they’ll also tell their friends. Another great idea you can consider incorporating is an interactive acrylic display stand with touchscreens or videos that customers can use to learn more about the product’s features, pricing, uses, etc. This way, even if by chance there are no staff around, your customers need not be dejected and can still find the information they need!
Plan with your rota
For most retail stores, the busiest period of the day is around lunchtime. People will often pop by and poke their head into a store and see what’s going while they stretch their legs after a morning at work. They aren’t always there to buy, but it is essential that you pick up on those opportunities. To do so, you need as many staff in the store as is possible. Try and plan your staff lunch breaks to take place before or after the traditional lunch periods. The more bodies you have on the floor, the more opportunities you will have to sell.
Upgrade your cash register
If you’re still using that old cash register you bought back in the eighties, then think about getting an upgrade installed. Not only will it give your point of sale area a better look, but it can give you more control over your store. Take the TallyRegister POS, for example. A piece of kit like this will help you find out what you have in stock, whether it’s on the shop floor, in your stock area, or even an external warehouse. No more wasted trips to try and find something that isn’t there, and no more frustrated customers.
Smile
Finally, the easiest – and simultaneously hardest – thing of all: a simple smile. It can be tough to put on a brave face when you are overworked and not getting the best results. But the only way to improve things in retail is by leading from the front for your staff and being friendly to your customers. No matter how bad things are in your personal or business life, you simply can’t take it with you onto the shop floor. So smile, be personable, and with any luck, things will start to improve.