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Get your free copy13 December 2016, 06:55 AM
- Running your shop as effectively as possible means that no one area be neglected. Here's a reminder of the six key areas to keep up to scratch
SHARP SIGNAGE
Claire Pollock from Ardross Farm Shop: “Signage is key in our business. In this economic climate, customers are very aware of prices, therefore we aim to show prices for each individual product. Slate works very well for this as it is easy to update every day.”
SUPERB SERVICE
Tom Hunt from Ludlow Food Centre: “Providing good service should be simple and effortless, not a scripted routine. It starts with understanding the customer and the brand of the business you are in. The people who are best at customer service are those can pre-empt the customer’s thoughts, make suggestions and add something to their experience which leaves them satisfied.”
SUCCESSFUL STAFFING
Katie Taylor from Drewtons: “When advertising for staff, we request that they are passionate, loyal, dedicated and enthusiastic, with good customer service knowledge. We also require experience in the necessary field, unless it is an apprenticeship position, or we can train in-house. They also need to be flexible with working hours as we are open seven days, and we always follow up references.”
SURPRISING STOCK
Abbe Vaughan from Home & Colonial: “For an independent deli, stocking is quite a tricky game; on the one hand, customer expectation means you have to have variety and quantity and full availability. On the other, it means a large financial outlay tied up in stock and the risk of date issues on products.”
TOP TASTERS
Dave Greenman from Arch House Deli: “As well as the obvious benefits of getting people trying new products, in-store tasters are also a great way of ensuring customers remember your business. A customer may visit many shops that day and by making the whole experience of visiting the store fun and memorable they will remember yours far more positively and for longer.”
DRAMATIC DISPLAYS
Diane Brown from Provender Brown: “It’s not always possible to engage personally with every customer who through the door and some don’t want to be engaged with, but good displays can do the job for you. They can increase time spent in the tore and therefore hopefully spend, encourage impulse purchases and help create an appealing and comfortable environment. They also help to give the impression of a professional establishment and inspire confidence in the business and the products on offer.”
Image: Provender Brown in Perth
