Different Kinds of Retail Customer Service

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There are different types of customer services in a retail store.  Each with their own good and bad features.  

1. The Sales Man -  this persons job is to engage the customer and sell them a product directly. Example would be a car sales man.  Their job is to talk you into buying the product.
2. Sales helper - this can be anyone working in the store.  Its everyone's job to help the customer find what it is they want, and not leave them wandering around your store.  This is the second most common form of customer service in your store and a lot of attention should be paid to it,
3. Customer Self Service - more times than not there's no one to help the customer find what it is they are looking for, so they have to be able to find it on their own.  Example would be supermarkets, mega discount stores like Walmart and Target, or just about any retail store.  This is the most common form of customer service. It needs to be treated as the most important part of laying out your store.

What Should I do If I See Someone Shoplifting or Stealing From My Store?

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Catching a Shoplifter can be very tricky.  You have to be very careful or you can be in more trouble than the shoplifter. This is why many retailers find it's more important to deter shoplifting before it ever happens.  Here are some things to consider before stopping a shoplifter.

1. Know the Law.   You need to know all the laws in your Country, State, and local government.  More than Just those laws that have to do with shoplifting may apply.
2. Who saw the shoplifter?  Are you 100% positive the person still has the item concealed on them?  If you stop and accuse a person of shoplifting, you have to prove it!  Falsely accusing someone of shoplifting can cost you 1000's of dollars in law suits and legal fees.
3. Always have a witness.  After stopping a shoplifter, never go alone with them into a closed room or office.   If the person is of the opposite sex it is wise to have witness of that sex.  If you are accused of inappropriate behavior, even if your innocent it will cost you in legal fees to defender yourself.
4. Never use physical force to stop a shoplifter.  If a shoplifter gets hurt while trying to leave your store, you may be at fault.  If an employee gets hurt you may be at fault.   Either way you are going to pay legal fees to defend yourself.  Is it worth getting hurt or killed over a $10.00 item? 

Before you stop someone for stealing from your store, consider what it may cost you.  Is it worth it?  This is why more time and money is put into stopping shoplifting before it happens.

Bookmark and follow this blog to learn more on ways to deter shoplifting, and decrease the shrink it causes.

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Plan Now For Fourth Quarter (4th QTR) Holiday Retail Store Sales.

Now is the Time for Small Business Retailers to Plan for 4th Quarter Profits.

Don't wait for the last minute to take advantage of the increase in customer volume during the fourth quarter Holiday sales.

Plan for fourth quarter sales now.  Clean up your retail store.  Add extra register lanes. Hire seasonal employees.  Now is  the time to increase seasonal selling merchandise displays.  You don't want to miss out on any extra retail sales. 

With the increase in customer flow, now is the time to clear out slow selling merchandise.  Here are some tips to keep in mind.

• Clearance discontinued merchandise.  Make sure it is visibly signed to attract customer attention.  Use progressive markdowns to insure sell through of the the old to make room for new merchandise.
• Customer Service Training.  Now is the time to reinforce the need for good customer service, both to increase sales and to decrease shoplifting.
• Raise your retail prices on your best selling items 2 - 5 %.
• Lower your retail prices on worst selling items with a high gross margin 5 - 10%.  Sign with a new everyday low price sign. 
• Plan ahead for sale promotions ,items people buy seasonally as well as everyday item.   High margin items, fast selling mid margin items, and clearance items your over stocked with are best.  Don't forget the sign!
• Plan your payroll needs based on last years sales, and this years planned promotions. 
• Set up your seasonal floor plan.  Moving non-seasonal items to back or off the sales floor and moving the fast movers, impulse and gift merchandise up front. 
• Change window display to attract new customers. 

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